Your search

This collection of ecclesiastical and administrative documents, dating from 1626 to 1772, comprises correspondence, reports, and decrees originating primarily from Portuguese colonial territories in Asia, including Macau, Goa, Malacca, Cochin, and Siam, with additional references to Japan, China, Mozambique, and the broader Indies. The materials, written in Latin, Portuguese, and hybrid ecclesiastical registers, were produced by Jesuit missionaries, Apostolic Vicars, and officials associated with the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. Key figures include P. Melchioris, D. Domínico Thecis, P. Francisco Xavier Filippo, Father João de Fide, and Cardinal Alberico, among others. Central themes include the establishment and jurisdiction of Apostolic Vicariates, tensions between secular authorities and ecclesiastical governance, internal disciplinary matters, doctrinal disputes, and logistical challenges in trans-imperial communication. The texts reveal ongoing conflicts over oaths, appointments, property rights, and the suppression of local customs deemed incompatible with Catholic orthodoxy, particularly in mission territories. Detailed accounts address the administration of sacraments, succession protocols, allegations of misconduct, and efforts to maintain canonical obedience amid political instability. These documents provide critical insight into the operation of Catholic missionary networks under the Padroado system, the interplay between Rome and colonial religious authorities, and the socio-political dynamics affecting evangelisation efforts across early modern Asia and Africa.

Padre Marcelo Mastrilli, a Jesuit, is remembered for his martyrdom in Nagasaki, Japan, and a miracle attributed to him by St. Francis Xavier. In 1636, en route to India, he foresaw his martyrdom in a letter to S. Antonio Tegliez de Silva. In 1634, while dying in Naples, St. Francis Xavier healed him and tasked him with preaching in the Indies, promising him martyrdom. Mastrilli journeyed through Madrid, Lisbon, Goa, Malacca, and Manila before reaching Japan, experiencing miracles along the way. Leaving Goa in April 1636, with twelve companions, Mastrilli's group split up, heading for Malacca. He, along with Padres Baldassarro Citadella, Antonio Capece, and Francesco Carola, sailed on Domenico di Camera's Galeotta, intending to reach Japan, China, and other areas. However, Dutch vessels forced them to Manila. En route, when the Galeotta sprung a leak, Mastrilli reassured everyone with an image of St. Francis Xavier, promising salvation. In Manila, Mastrilli faced difficulties entering Japan due to restrictions on religious figures. It was decided he would go alone, while his companions went to Macao. Before departing, he accompanied the Governor of Manila to conquer Mindanao. During a battle, he flagellated himself, provoking a demonic reaction and receiving a revelation that the victory would be his and that the Governor would facilitate his journey to Japan. Mastrilli, with ten Japanese men disguised as locals, sailed from Manila on July 13, 1637, reaching the Kingdom of Saxuma on September 19. Seeking the Emperor, he landed at Xiguiso but was discovered and arrested with his companions, then taken to Nagasaki. There, he declared his mission to convert the Emperor. Mastrilli endured tortures, maintaining his faith. Sentenced to death, he was thrown into a pit of filth on October 17, 1637. After four days, he was beheaded; an earthquake occurred at his death.

This collection, catalogued as JAP. SIN. 141, comprises documents pertaining to the Chinese Rites Controversy spanning from 1720 to 1737. The documents offer a multifaceted view of the dispute, incorporating perspectives from various individuals and religious orders involved. The collection includes transcriptions of diaries concerning the Mezzabarba legation from Emperor Kam Hi, summaries of Roman decisions and concessions related to the rites (1645-1720), and testimonies regarding the innocence of the Jesuit order in China. Correspondence within the collection sheds light on the Jansenism in Cocincina and developments in missions across China and other Eastern territories. Furthermore, the series contains a historical overview of the mission in China from 1583 to 1737, highlighting the initial acceptance and subsequent extinction of Christianity before its re-establishment by Jesuit missionaries . It also delves into the examination of Chinese customs and the ensuing debates regarding the compatibility of certain rites with Christian doctrine. The documents reflect the differing viewpoints and resolutions concerning the rites, including papal decrees and the positions of various religious orders such as the Franciscans and Dominicans. They also touch upon the implications of these controversies on the Chinese mission and the challenges faced by missionaries in administering sacraments and navigating imperial mandates.

This 1902 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Government of Macau and transmitted through the Embassy of Portugal to the Holy See, documents a sensitive territorial and political dispute involving French missionary land acquisitions near Macau. The primary subject is a series of purchases by the French Catholic mission of three parcels of land—Sai-kua-pu, Sai-mai-kong, and Bac-mai-Kong—at the foot of Mount Catae, approximately five kilometres from Macau, officially registered under the authority of the Xiangshan mandarin. The reports, authored by Acting Governor Alfredo Lello and addressed to the Secretary of State for Naval and Overseas Affairs in Lisbon, argue that these acquisitions, conducted under the provisions of the 1860 Franco-Chinese Treaty, served strategic political rather than religious or medical purposes, despite the stated pretext of establishing a sanatorium. The documents detail an incident in which Chinese agents attempted to serve a summons on Ip-lin-san, a naturalised Portuguese subject and Macau resident, over allegations of unlawful burial on contested land, prompting protests regarding violations of Portuguese territorial jurisdiction. Internal investigations concluded that the burial claims were unfounded and likely a pretext to clear access to French-held plots. The correspondence further highlights British concern in Hong Kong over perceived French expansionist ambitions in southern China, particularly given the strategic vantage of the acquired lands overlooking key maritime routes. The material provides critical insight into colonial rivalries, ecclesiastical politics under the Padroado system, and the use of missionary activity as an instrument of imperial influence in late Qing China.

Ordem para que seja restituída pela Junta a quantia de 360$000 relativos aos direitos dos géneros enviados para Macau, no caso 244 almudes de vinho remetidos para o Seminário de Macau, e pagos pelo Procurador Geral da Congregação da Missão. Emitida pelo Conde de Redondo a António Francisco Machado.

奏報審辦鎮安縣天主教人犯趙金城等 具奏日期： 乾隆43年01月29日 (1778-02-25) 具奏人：陝西巡撫 畢沅 硃批日期： 乾隆43年02月15日 (1778-03-13) 硃批內容： 該部議奏 尺寸： 26×11.6(公分)

奏聞南唐縣民何國達呈首天主邪教一案經臣飛咨四川督臣嚴密查辦茲將准咨查辦緣由奏覽 具奏日期：乾隆39年03月20日 (1774-04-30) 具奏人： 江西巡撫 海成 硃批內容： 覽 文件類別： 奏摺 形制： 摺件 尺寸： 21.5×9.2(公分) 質材： 紙 出版品： 《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第35輯，頁065

奏覆辦理婺川縣民蔣登庸家崇奉天主教一案情形 具奏日期：乾隆37年04月13日 (1772-05-15) 具奏人：護理貴州巡撫印務 圖思德 硃批日期：乾隆37年04月26日 (1772-05-28) 硃批內容：覽 尺寸：25.8×11.7(公分)

奏聞查辦婺州縣天主教由 具奏日期： 乾隆37年02月11日 (1772-03-14) 具奏人：護理貴州巡撫印務 覺羅圖思德 硃批日期： 乾隆37年02月23日 (1772-03-26) 硃批內容： 知道了 尺寸： 24×10(公分)

奏覆江西民人吳均在粵約請西洋人赴江西掌奉天主教拏獲奏報情形 具奏日期：乾隆32年09月08日 (1767-10-30) 具奏人：兩廣總督兼署廣東巡撫 李侍堯 硃批內容： 覽 文件類別： 奏摺 形制： 摺件 尺寸： 22×10.1(公分) 質材： 紙 出版品： 《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第28輯，頁093

奏為臣親訊傳天主教人犯及准廣東咨提移解緣由 具奏日期： 乾隆32年08月10日 (1767-10-02) 具奏人： 江西巡撫 吳紹詩 硃批內容： 知道了 文件類別： 奏摺 形制： 摺件 尺寸： 22.2×10.4(公分) 質材： 紙 出版品： 《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第27輯，頁755

奏為所有臣據稟查辦西洋人來江省宣傳天主教事宜 具奏日期： 乾隆32年閏07月19日 (1767-09-11) 具奏人：江西巡撫 吳紹詩 硃批內容：知道了 文件類別：奏摺 形制：摺件 尺寸：22.5×10.3(公分) 質材：紙 出版品： 《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第27輯，頁579

奏報拏獲信天主教之江西民人蔣日達等五犯經查辦緣由先行呈覽 具奏日期：乾隆32年閏07月13日 (1767-09-05) 具奏人： 兩廣總督 李侍堯 具奏人：廣東巡撫 王檢 硃批內容：知道了 文件類別：奏摺 形制：摺件 尺寸：22.5×10.3(公分) 質材：紙 出版品： 《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第27輯，頁538

奏報拿獲馮文子講天主教規應解還原籍摺 具奏日期：乾隆19年07月23日 (1754-09-09) 具奏人：閩浙總督兼理福建巡撫 喀爾吉善 硃批內容：知道了（另有夾批） 文件類別：奏摺 形制：摺件 尺寸：21.5×10.7(公分) 質材：紙 出版品：《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第09輯，頁228

奏覆遵旨嚴禁天主教不必視同邪教摺 具奏日期：乾隆19年05月03日 (1754-06-22) 具奏人：廣東巡撫 鶴年 硃批內容：覽 文件類別：奏摺 形制：摺件 尺寸：22×10.5(公分) 質材：紙 出版品：《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第08輯，頁415

奏報地方情形並查拿天主教教士事宜摺 具奏日期：乾隆19年閏04月09日 (1754-05-30) 具奏人：江蘇巡撫 莊有恭 硃批內容：覽奏俱悉 文件類別：奏摺 形制：摺件 尺寸：22×10.5(公分) 質材：紙 出版品： 《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第08輯，頁219

奏報查勘堤工及拿獲天主教士摺 具奏日期：乾隆19年閏04月05日 (1754-05-26) 具奏人：兩江總督 鄂容安 硃批內容：覽奏俱悉 文件類別：奏摺 形制：摺件 尺寸：22×10.5(公分) 質材：紙 出版品：《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第08輯，頁209

奏報審理信奉天主之人民並拿獲天主教西洋人犯摺 具奏日期： 乾隆19年04月22日 (1754-05-13) 具奏人：提督江南總兵官 林君陞 硃批內容：已有旨了 文件類別：奏摺 形制：摺件 尺寸：22×10.2(公分) 質材：紙 出版品：《宮中檔乾隆朝奏摺》第08輯，頁081