Storia do Mogor 366.3.2

366.3.2

My reasons for this assertion are that, besides encroaching upon our mission without first informing the Sacred Congregation, they have, moreover, entered on it under false allegations and by devious routes. The true shepherd, said Christ, ought to enter by the door, 'qui intrat per ostium pastor est ovium' (Vulgate, Gospel of St. John, x. 2); and he who does not enter into the fold by the door, but by another place, is a thief and a robber: 'Amen, amen, dico vobis qui non intrat per ostium in ovile, sed ascendit aliunde, ille fur est et latro' (loc. cit., x. 1). How, then, have the reverend Jesuit fathers intruded themselves into our mission? Perhaps they did so by order of the said Sacred Congregation, to whom alone belongs the sanctioning of missions, whether [304] generally or in particular instances. No; for no sooner did it become known that the reverend Jesuit fathers had taken possession of our mission to the Malabãrís of Pondicherry than it (the Sacred Congregation) has ordered them to make it over again to us. Perhaps it was because the Capuchin fathers had occasioned some scandal, or had not looked after those Malabãrís efficiently enough. You know the fact, gentlemen, and all the other Christians who live at Pondicherry will bear witness not simply as to our lives and conduct, but will also confess (and of this I can boast without any display of pride) that never did that mission flourish like it did when in our hands.