Storia do Mogor 358.4.1

358.4.1

If they say that his Holiness and the Sacred Congregation have not sent them [the decrees] to re-establish us in our ancient mission, and that this subject is not in the least touched upon in the said decrees, will they tell me how they would in that case interpret the following words: 'In locis in quibus existunt missionarii unius ordinis?' etc. Perhaps, because they are Jesuits, they are exempt from that rule. Then what does this mean: 'Aliorum Religiosorum et etiam Societatis Jesu'? Their acts proceed, perhaps, from their having arguments and pretexts which support what they are doing. In that case, what is the meaning of this: 'sub quovis praetextu'? Perhaps it is because they hold in their hands the authority of his Lordship the Bishop of San Thome. Then what does this mean: 'aut authoritate exercere'? Once more, it may be they have permission to act at their own pleasure without the consent of the Sacred Congregation. What [223], then, mean these words: 'absque expressa licentia ejusdem Sacrae Congregationis'? Can it be that if they disobey the said Sacred Congregation their acts will not be open to condemnation? What is this, then: 'Sub poena privationis officii, privilegii, et facultatis, ipso facto incurrenda, non obstantibus quibuscumque'? Perhaps, lastly, the Lord Bishop of San Thomé and the reverend Jesuit fathers are not subject to the Sacred Congregation. Perhaps the Sacred Congregation has no authority over them.