第9章

Soon，aswastobeexpectedinsuchacountry，thisserviceprovedtheoccasionofmuchscandal，and，insteadofshowingpeoplehowtoleavetheworld，becamethemeansofintroducingmanyintolifeinaclandestineway。TherectoroftheJesuitcollegethoughtithisdutytoinformtheBishop；buthe，likeallgoodmen，thoughtnothingbadcouldspringfromanythingthathehimselforiginated。Nodoubtheputitdowntomalice，asgoodpeoplewillwhenworldlingsputthefingerontheweakspotofareligiousinstitution；butanyhow，regardlessofthescandals，hecontinuedhisnocturnalrites。

TheGovernorofParaguayatthattimewasoneGregoriodeHinostrosa，anofficerborninChile，anhonest，pious，wooden

headedman，andmuchbelovedbytheinhabitantsofParaguay。OnhisarrivalDonBernardinotriedtoconciliatehim。Unluckily，afriendshipwiththeBishopwasimpossiblewithoutablindsubmissiontohiswill。

Inthebeginningallwasflattery；whenDonGregorioattendedMass，theBishopusedtomeethimatthechurchdoor。Nottobeoutdone，theGovernorreturnedtheBishop"spolitenessinasimilarway，butwentsofarinhiscomplaisancethatDonBernardinoceasedtorespecthim。Soontherearosebickeringsandjealousies，andatlengththeyhatedoneanotherfervently。

NorwastheBishopmoresuccessfulwithhisclergy。Someofthemlaughedathispretensionstobeasaint，andcalledhimanambitiousschemer。

Again，amongstthelaity，manydidnotquiteunderstandhishabitofcelebratingtwoMasseseveryday。Heansweredthathenevercelebratedwithoutreleasingasoulfrompurgatory，andthattherehadbeensaintswhocelebratednineMasseseveryday，and，moreover，thathewasPopeinhisowndiocese。Thiscutthegroundfromunderthefeetofhisdetractors，forinatownofthecalibreofAsuncionthepeoplelookedonaserviceinachurchasawelcomemeansofgettingthroughtheday，andhadhecelebratedadozenmassestheywouldbuthavebeenmoredelightedwiththeirnewBishop。

Underthepretextthattherewerenotenoughprieststoservethechurches，he，bydegrees，tookseveralparishesintohisownhands，andwentfromchurchtochurchtocelebratehisMassineach，whilstnotforgettingtodrawthevariousstipendsforhiswork。

But，notcontentwiththis，hebegantoordainyoungmenwhoknewnoLatin，andevencriminals，settingforththeviewthatordinationwasasortofsecondbaptism，whichpurgedallcrimes

amostconvenienttheory，andonewhichisnothalfenoughinsistedoninthesedegeneratedays。

ThepositionofAsunciongavehimanopportunityofanalmostuniquekindtoshowhistalentsinanothersphere。AcrosstheriverParaguay，thereaboutonemilebroad，extendsthecountrycalledtheChaco，avastdomainofswampandforest，inhabitedinthosedays，asatpresent，bytribesofwanderingIndians。Fromthecitywalls，whilstlisteningtothechurch

bells，onecanseethesmokeofIndianencampmentsacrosstheriveronlyamileaway。

OfalltheIndiantribesinthetimeofCardenas，themostferociousweretheGuaycurus。TheJesuitshadlabouredalmostinvainamongstthem。

Missionshadbeenfounded，andallgonewellformonths，andevenyears，whenonasudden，andwithoutreason，theGuaycurushadburnedthehouses，killedthepriests，andgonebacktothewilds。FromSantaFeuptotheprovinceofMattoGrossotheykeptthefrontierinaturmoil，crossingtheriverandfeedinglikelocustsonthesettlementsinParaguay。

NotlongbeforehisarrivaltheGuaycurushadintimatedtheirintentionofholdingaconferencewithDonGregorioHinostrosa。

DonBernardinothoughtthechancetoogoodtolose，andatoncedeclaredthat，asaBishop，itwashisplacetocarryonnegotiationswiththebarbarians。

DressedinhisrobesandwithanescortfurnishedbytheGovernor，hemetthechiefs

whonodoubtlookedonhimasanewkindofmedicine

man

preachedtothemthroughaninterpreter，curiouslybeingwithoutthegiftoftongues，butnotwithstandingthatareasonablenumberofthemwerebaptized。Onhisreturn，hewrotetotheKingthatbyhiseffortshehadappeasedthemostferociousIndianswithinhisMajesty"sdomains。

WithinaweektheGuaycurussurprisedandburnedasettlementalittlehigherupthestream。NotcontentwiththisCaligulesqueapostolatetotheGuaycurus，theBishoplongedforseriousoccupation，andcausedittoberumouredaboutthecitythathedidnothingexceptbythedirectauthorityoftheHolyGhost，anallegationhardtoconfute，andifallowed，likelytoleadtodifficultieseveninParaguay。

SomeyearsbeforetheadventofDonBernardinotheDominicanshadbuiltaconventinAsuncion。Astheyhadnolicensetobuild，theywereinthepositionofreligioussquattersonthedomainofGod。

ThecitizenshadappliedtotheAudienciaofCharcas，thesupremecourtonallsuchmattersinSouthAmerica，situated，withtrueSpanishunpracticality，inoneofthemostsecludeddistrictsofthecontinent。TheAudienciahadrefusedthelicense，buthadtakenthematter`adadvisandum"

fortenyears。Totakeamatterintoconsiderationfortenyears，eveninSpainorSouthAmerica，wherethelaw"sdelayisgenerallymoremortalthaninanyothercountry，wasasgoodasgivingapermission。

SotheDominicansconstruedit，andnoonedreamedofnowmolestingthem。

OnedaytheBishop，dressedinhisrobes，proceededfromhispalacetotheconvent，informingtheGovernorthathewantedhimtomeethimthere。

Enteringtheconventchurch，hetookthesacramentfromoffthealtarandstrippedthechurchofallitsornaments，settingagangofworkmentodemolishboththeconventandthechurch。Whentheworkwasover，hewenttoaneighbouringchurch，andthenandthere，withoutconfession，celebratedMass，remarkingtothefaithfulthattherewasnoneedforhimtomakeconfession，ashewassatisfiedoftheconditionofhisconscience。

Somemurmured；butthegreaterportionofthepeople，alwaysreadytotakeasaintathisownvaluation，weredelightedwithhisact。

Doubtsmusthavecrossedhismind，asshortlyafterwardshewrotetoDonMelchiorMaldonado，BishopofTucuman，forhisopinion。

ThatBishopansweredrathertartlythathiszealappearedtohimtosavourmoreofthezealofEliasthanofJesusChrist，andthatinacountrywherechurchesweresofewitseemedimprudenttopulldownratherthantobuild。`However，"headded，`mylightisnotsobrilliantasthelightyourlordshipisilluminedby。"

WhenonceamaniswellconvincedthatallhedoescomesfromtheHolyGhost，thereisbutlittlethathecannotdowithsatisfactiontohimself。

Self

murderers，accordingtothecustomofthosetimes，werenotallowedadmissionintoholyground，asifthefactofhavingfoundtheirlifeunbearabledebarredthemfromtherighttobeconsideredmen。Suchamanafewyearspreviouslyhadbeenburiedatacross

road。ItnowoccurredtoCardenastohaveaspecialrevelationonthesubject；and，curiouslyenough，thisspecialrevelationwasonthesideofcommon

sense。`Thisbody，"saidtheBishop，`isthatofaChristian，andIfeelprettysurehissoulisnowinbliss。"

Hegavenoreasonforhisopinion，asisthewayofmostreligiousfolk，but，ashehadspecialmeansofcommunicationwithheaven，mostpeoplewerecontented。IncontinentlyhehadthecorpsedugupandburiedinthechurchoftheIncarnation，himselfperformingallthefuneralrites。

Althoughamiracleortwowouldhaveshockednobody，still，inthematterofthesuicidehehadgonetoofarforthesimplepeopleoftheplace。Theymurmured，andforamomenttheBishop"sprestigewasinjeopardy；butinthenickoftimehisBullsarrived，broughtbyhisnephew，PedrodeCardenas，who，likehimself，wasaFranciscanfriar。Thissavedhim，andgavethepeoplesomethingnewtothinkof，thoughatthesametimeheincurredanewanxiety。

IntheBullstherewasapassagetotheeffectthat，ifathisconsecrationanyirregularityhadbeenincurred，hewasliabletosuspensionfromallhisfunctions。ThistheJesuitwhotranslatedthedocumentsintoSpanishforthepurposeofpublicationdrewhisattentionto。

However，Cardenaswasnotamantobeintimidatedbysosmallamatter，butreadthetranslationtothepeopleintheCathedral，andintimatedtothemthatthePopehadgivenhimunlimitedpowerinParaguay，bothinmattersspiritualandtemporal。

ThoughDonGregorio，theGovernor，waspresentattheceremony，hemadenoprotestattheassumptionoftemporalpowerbyCardenas。

Hehadremarkedit，though，andsecretlydeterminedtoshowhimthathispretensionswereunfounded。Hisnephew，DonPedrodeCardenas，furnishedtheoccasion。ThisyoungmanhadbeendespatchedtoSpaintogettheBulls。Uponthevoyageheseemstohaveconductedhimselfwithscantpropriety。Onhisreturn，whenpassingCorrientes，hetookonboardaladywhomCharlevoix，quiteinthespiritoftheauthoroftheBookofProverbs，describesas`unejeunefemmebienfaite"。

Havingsomequalmsofconscience，heputonaseculardress，andonnearingAsuncionputhisreligioushabitoverit。

Insuchaclimatethisdoublecostumemusthavebeeninconvenient，andwhyheshouldhavewornonedressabovetheotherdoesnotappear。

Hisuncle，inhisdelightattheforthcomingoftheBulls，mostprobablypaidlittleattentiontohisappearance。

Helodgedhiminthepalace，andassignedhimaprebendarywhichwasvacant。

Wherethe`jeunefemmebienfaite"waslodgedisnotsetdown，andthepeopleofAsuncionnodoubtlookedlenientlyonsuchaffairs，asdoessocietyto

dayinEngland。Afterhisusualfashion，theBishopsetalldowntocalumny。

AboutthistimetheGovernorhadputinprisononeAmbrosioMorales，asub

officialoftheInquisition，whohadhadaquarrelwithanofficer。

Cardenas，beinginformedofthis，couldnotlosesogoodachanceofexercisingthepowerhearrogatedintemporalaffairs。

Holdingamonstranceinhishands，hewenttotheprisonandaskedfortheprisoner，placingthemonstranceonatableattheprisongate。

TherectoroftheJesuitcollegecameandexpostulatedwithhim，sayingthatitwasnotfittingtoexposethebodyofJesusChristinsuchaplace，andthatitwasnotdecentthattheBishophimselfshouldstaythere。Consideringhisposition，andthetimesinwhichhelived，itseemstherectorwasjudiciousinhisexpostulation。Cardenasrepliedthathewouldstaytheretilltheprisonerwasreleased。Therector，knowinghimtobeasobstinateasamalemule，wentandbeggedtheGovernortoletMoralesout。Thishedidatonce，andthentheBishop，crossinhand，returnedintriumphtothepalacewiththerescuedInquisitorfollowingamongsthistrain。Thepeople，whoselivesweredull，snatchedattheopportunityforsomeamusement，andsaidthatitwasgoodlucktheGovernorandBishopwerenotalwaysofonemind，forthattheiragreementhadcausedthedemolitionofachurchandconvent，andtheirquarrelthesettingofaprisonerfree。

ThislittletriumphemboldenedtheBishoptogofurther。HeadmittedMoralesintominororders，gavehimthetonsure，andthus，havingplacedhimabovethetemporalpower，enabledhimtobravetheGovernoropenly。

TheBishop"snephew，takingtheGovernor"skindnessforweakness，brokepubliclyintoinsultingtermsabouthim。TheGovernor"sbrother，FatherHinostrosa，pressedhimtovindicatehisdignity，butherefused，sayinghewantedpeaceatanyprice。ThispolicytheBishopdidnotunderstand，forallconcessionshesetdownasweakness，andtheyencouragedhimtofreshexactionsandmoreviolence。

DiningwiththeGovernor，theBishopchancedtoseeuponthetableafinepairofsilvercandlesticks。ToseeandtodesirewithCardenaswastoask，andsoheintimatedtotheGovernorhiswishtohavethem。TheGovernor，thinking，perhaps，towipeouttheremembranceofthedifficultyaboutMorales，sentthemtothepalacewithhiscompliments。TheBishoptookthepresent，and，turningtothemanwhobroughtthem，said，`IshouldnowbequitecontentifIonlyhadthesilverewerandflagonwhichInoticedinyourmaster"shouse。"TheGovernor，wemaysuppose，onhearingthismadewhattheSpaniardscall`larisadelconejo"；

butsenttheplateandamessage，sayingallhishousecontainedwasattheBishop"sservice。DonBernardino，who，thoughhemayhavebeenasaint，ashisfriendsproclaimed，wascertainlyfarfromagentleman，sentfortheflagonandtheewer，whichhereceivedatonce，togetherwithafriendlymessagefromtheGovernor。

Buteventhisfree

willofferingbroughtnoquiet，foranewquarrelsoonarosebetweentheBishopandtheunluckywielderofthetemporalpower。

TheSocietyoftheHolySacramentenjoyedan`encomienda"

atornearAsuncion。TheBishop，nodoubtthinkinghewasmostfittedtoindoctrinatetheIndians，endeavouredtopersuadetheGovernortogettheSocietyoftheHolySacramenttomaketheirIndiansovertohimself。

TheGovernor，whoknewhisfellow

countrymen，flatlyrefused，anduponthisDonBernardinofellintoafury，andreproachedhimwithsuchbitternessthatDonGregorio，too，oversteppedtheboundsofprudence，andthrewtheconductofhisnephewwiththe`jeunefemmebienfaite"

intotheBishop"steeth。

Hellhasbeensaidtohavenofuryequaltoawomanscorned，butaBishopthwartedmakesaverytolerableshow。DonBernardinowasoneofthosewhothinkaninsulttothemselvescarrieswithitachallengetoGod，anoutrageonreligion，andgenerallyconceivethehonourofHeavenisattackedbyanycontradictionofthemselves。

ToanimadvertupontheactionsofaBishop"snephewisasbadasheresy

farworsethansimony

andthemanwhodoesitcannotbutbeahereticatheart。So，atleast，DonBernardinothought；

for，withcandle，bell，andbook，andwhatwasrequisite，heexcommunicatedthepoorGovernor，anddeclaredhimincompetenttobeartheroyalstandardinareligiousfestivalwhichwasshortlytotakeplace。Excommunicationwasatleastasseriousthenasbankruptcyisnow，thoughinSpanishAmericaitdidnotcarrywithitsuchdirefulconsequencesasinEuropeanStates。

Notwishingtouseforce，theGovernoryieldedthepoint，anddidnottroubletheprocession。Hismoderateconductgainedhimmanypartisans，andputmanypeopleagainsttheCardenas。

Thenephew，PedrodeCardenas，thoughtitagoodoccasiontoinsulttheGovernorinpublic；soonedayinthestreethefollowedhim，castingreflectionsonhismotherandhisfemalerelatives。

DonGregorio，whowasamanoftriedcourage，havingservedforyearsagainsttheIndiansofArauco，thebravestraceofalltheIndiansofAmerica，controlledhistemper，and，turningtotheyoungFranciscan，said，`GowithGod，myfather；butdonottrymeanymore。"

ItwasnottobeexpectedthatinthosetimesandsuchaplaceamanlikeDonGregoriodeHinostrosa，whohadpassedhislifeuponthefrontiers，andwhoheldsupremeauthority，wouldquietlysubmittosuchapublicinsult；soonenightheappearedattheBishop"spalace，accompaniedbysoldiers，toarrestDonPedro。OutcameCardenas，andexcommunicatedtheGovernorandallhissoldiersonthespot，andDonPedropointedapistolathishead。He，seeinghimselfobligedeithertomakeapublicscandalorretire，beingforpeaceatanyprice，retired，andthetriumphantBishoppublishedhisedictofexcommunication，whichheextendedwithafineoffiftycrownstoeverysoldierwhohadbeenpresentatthescene。Onreflection，thinking，perhaps，itwasunwisetoexcommunicatesomanysoldiers，whomightbeneededtorepelanIndianattack，hesentandtoldtheGovernorhewasreadytoabsolvehimuponeasyterms。TheGovernor，whohadmadelightofthefirstexcommunication，wasratherstaggeredwhenhefoundthesecondpostedattheCathedraldoor。

Andnowacomedyensued；forDonGregoriowenttotheBishop，andonhiskneesaskedforforgiveness。He，takenunawares，alsokneltdown，and，whentheGovernorkissedhishand，wishedtoreturnthecompliment，andwouldhavedonesohadtherectoroftheJesuitcollegenotpreventedhim。

AsCharlevoixsays，`toseethemontheirknees，noonecouldhaveimaginedwhichoneitwaswhoaskedtheother"sgrace。"TheBishopgrantedabsolutiontotheGovernor；butthesoldiers"actionhadbeenflatsacrilegeatleast，foreveryoneofthemwasforcedtopaythefine。

Twoexcommunicationsinaweekwerealmost，onewouldthink，enoughtosatisfyaPope；buthavingnominatedoneDiegoHernandez，aPortuguese，tothepostofAlguacilMayoroftheInquisition，andgivenhimtherighttowearaswordinvirtueofhisoffice，theGovernor，meetingthemaninthestreetwearingaswordagainsthisregulations，madehimaprisoner。AtonceDonBernardinolaunchedanotherexcommunication。Butthistimehehadgonetoofar；

theGovernorlaughedathisthunder，andcondemnedtheprisonertobehanged。

Athiswits"end，theBishopsentaservanttotheman，andtoldhimtofearnothing，forthat，ifhesuffereddeath，hewasamartyr，andthathehimselfwouldpreachhisfuneralsermon。

TheGovernor，whowasperhapsahumorist，laughedatthemessage，which，hesaid，wasnotconsoling，andthenhimselfletHernandezoutofprisonunderheavybail。Theexcommunicationwasthentakenoff，andpeaceoncemorereignedinAsuncion。

Aswellasbeingnotgiventowine，itisessentialthataBishopshallknowhowtokeephisowncounsel

asLorenzoGracianexpressesit，

`nottolie，butnotforthattospeakoutalwaysthewholetruth。"

EveryonewhoknewtheBishopandhishastytemperwasastonishedathisbehaviourtotheJesuits。NooneimaginedhehadforgottentheattitudetherectoroftheUniversityofCordovahadassumedtowardshisconsecration，andstilltheBishopseemedtoshowmorefavourtotheJesuitsinAsuncionthantothemembersoftheotherreligiouscommunities。

Perhapshefeltthewantofpartisansamongsttheeducatedclasses，forhisquarrelwiththeGovernorhadlosthimmanyfriends。

CertainlyinAsuncionitwasofgreatimportancethattheJesuitsshouldnotdeclareagainsthimopenly。

`OraculoManualyArtedePrudencia"(Amsterdam，encasadeJuanBlau，1659)。

Hepraisedthemfulsomelybothinthepulpitandinconversation，wentinprocessiontotheirchurch，andtreatedtheminpublicwithmarkedconsideration。AsacontemporaneousJesuithasleftarecord，theywerenothisdupes，butstillendeavouredtoliveuptothepraiseshedispensedtothem。HewentsofarasinalettertotheKing，PhilipIV。，tosaythattheJesuitsonlyinallParaguaywerereallyfittedtohavethecareofIndians，andheadvisedtheKingtotransfertheIndianswhowereunderotherreligiousbodies，aswellasthoseunderthesecularclergy，tothecareandguidanceofthatOrder。

NodoubtinthistheBishopwasright，evenifnotsincere。

OneofthequalificationstheJesuitshadforthecareofIndianswasthattheIndiansdidnotlookonthemasSpaniards。

AsinthesamewaythatinMatabeleland，perhaps，aGerman，Frenchman，orItalianislesshatefultothenativesthananEnglishman，soinParaguaytheIndianslikedtheJesuitsbetterthantheotherOrders，forthereweremanyforeignersamongsttheirranks。TheJesuitssooncomprehendedthattheBishopwishedtomakethemodioustothepublicbyoverpraise。Tosettoworkinsuchamanneralmostrequiresanearlytraininginaseminary，andthatsuchtacticsshouldhavebeenputinforceagainstsuchskilleddiplomatistsasweretheJesuitsarguesnoordinarycapacityfordiplomaticworkinCardenas。

Withhim，however，theSpanishproverb，`Betwixtthewordanddeedthespaceisgreat"，hadlittleapplication。ThevicarofaplacecalledArecaya，closetoAsuncion，hadfallenintodisgrace；theBishopremovedhimfromhisparish，andaskedtherectoroftheJesuitcollegetosendapriesttotakehisplace。Theanswerhereceivedwaspolitic，andtotheeffectthattherewasnoJesuitwhocouldbespared，andeveniftherewasitill

befittedanyJesuittoinfringeuponthedutiesofthesecularclergy；butthat，ifCardenasintendedtofoundanewreductionwithalltheprivilegesthattheKinghadalwaysgiventothatkindofestablishment，therectorhimselfwouldaskpermissionfromhisProvincialtoundertakethework。Asplendidanswer，andonewhichprovedthatthemanwhogaveitwasamanwastedinParaguay，andthathisplacebyrightswasRomeor，attheleast，somecourt。

DonBernardino，whoinmatterssuchasthesewasquiteascunningastherector，thankedhim，andsaidhedidnotwantasaint，butapriesttotakethedutyofanotherpriestforashorttime。

Therector，seeinghisdiplomacyhadfailed，toldFatherMansilla，whowasatItatines，totransferhimselftoArecaya，and，writingtotheBishop，toldhimthathehadnodoubtMansillawoulddoallthatwasfittinginthecase。TheBishop，whohadgainedhispointandsawnofurtherusefordiplomacy，said:

`OfthatIamquitesure，andifhedoesnotIshallexcommunicatehim，andlaythedistrictoftheItatinesunderaninterdict。"

NothingappearedtogiveDonBernardinosuchunmitigatedpleasureasanexcommunication；ontheslightestprotesthewasready，sothatduringhisepiscopatesomeoneorotherinAsuncionmusthavealwaysbeenunderthebanofHolyMotherChurch。

TherectorfeltinstinctivelythatDonBernardinohadnotdonewithhim。

Thiswasthecase，forsoonanotherordercametosendtwoJesuitstoundertaketheguidanceofamissionnearVillaRica。

AsatthetimetheJesuitshadnomissionsnearVillaRica，theorderwasmostunpleasanttohim。Firstly，thetwowhowent

FathersGomezandDomenecchi

hadtoleavetheirmissionsandundertakealengthyjourneyinthewilds。OnreachingVillaRica，theyfoundnotonlythattheinhabitantslookedonthemwithgreatdisfavourasinterlopers，butthattheIndians，whomtheyweresenttoguide，wereunderthe`encomienda"system，thusforcingthemtowinkatthatwhichtheydisapproved。Theresolutionthattheytookdidthemgreathonour；

itwastoleavethetownofVillaRicaandliveoutintheforestswiththeIndians。

TheJesuitsofthecollegeatAsuncionfeltthesituationkeenly。

Peoplebegantomurmuratthemfortheirinvasionofthespiritualdomainsofothers，andtherector，indespair，senttotheBishop，andbeggedhimnottopraisetheminhissermons。NothingcostCardenassolittleastopromise，sohepromisednottomentionthemagain，andnexttimethathepreachedhespentanhourintellingofthewondersthattheJesuitshaddoneinsavingsouls，notonlyamongstCatholics，butalsoamongsttheinfidelsandTurks。ThetacticsoftheBishopweresomarkedthatatlastarumourreachedDonMelchiorMaldonado，theBishopofTucuman，ofwhomDonBernardinoalwaysstoodindread。

Hislettersomehowbecamepublic，andasinithespokemostwarmlyoftheJesuits，andpraisedtherector，thepublicturnedagainupontheirside。Justatthistime，however，thesleepingfeudbetweentheBishopandtheGovernorbrokeoutanewwithsomuchfurythatattentionwasdirectedfromtheJesuitsforthetimebeing；

butonthemthesituationstillwashung，andbothsidesmadeadvancestothemforsupport。

ChapterV

RenewalofthefeudbetweentheBishopandDonGregorio

WholesaleexcommunicationsinAsuncion

Cardenasin1644

formulateshiscelebratedchargesagainsttheJesuits

TheGovernor，afterlongnegotiationsandmuchdisplayofforce，ultimatelysucceedsindrivingouttheBishop

ForthreeyearsCardenasisindesperatestraits

In1648DonGregorioissuddenlydismissed，CardenaselectshimselfGovernor，andforashorttimebecomessupremeinAsuncion

TheJesuitsareforcedtoleavethetownandtofleetoCorrientes

AnewGovernorisappointedinAsuncion

HedefeatsCardenasonthefieldofbattle

Thelatterisdeprivedofhispower，anddiessoonafterasBishopofLaPazTheGovernor，likeaprudentsoldier，wasbidinghistime。TheBishop，notyetstrongenoughtowalkalone，darednotbreakopenlywiththeJesuits。

DonPedroCardenasstillfollowinguphisevilcourses，poorDonGregorioHinostrosa，accustomedallhislifetodealwith`officersandgentlemen"，thoughtfittobringthisunderhisuncle"snotice。TheBishopspoketohisnephewinapaternalfashion，enjoiningcertainpenancesuponhim，andamongstothersthathewastokisstheearth。AlthoughDonPedroCardenaswasnotamanaccustomedtolavishkissesonthingsinanimate，hecomplied，but，thoughcomplying，stillpursuedhisviciouscourse。

QuiteinthemannerofKingCharles(ofpiousmemory)，theGovernordeterminedtoarresttherecalcitrantwithhisownhand。Armedtotheteeth，andwithabandofmusketeersaccompanyinghim，heappearedbeforetheconventofSt。Francis，whereFatherCardenashadtakenrefuge，and，dragginghimfromhisbed，haledhimincontinentlytotheriver"sbank，andlefthimgaggedandbound，apreytofliesandsun，fortwowholedays，dressedinhisdrawersandshirt。OnthethirddayhewasembarkedinacanoeforCorrientes，withasmallquantityofjerkedbeefforallprovision，andawoman"scloakwrappedroundhisshoulderstoshieldhimfromthecold。Notquitetheguiseinwhichaclergymanwouldcaretoappearbeforetheeyesofhissuperiors，eveninParaguay。

Naturally，theBishop，havingnothingelsetodo，gotouthisexcommunicationinhisusualstyle，butnomanmarkedhim。

MeantimeAsuncionwasinconfusion，theBishopandtheGovernorkeepingnomeasurewiththeothermanofsin。Onetriedtoobtainpossessionoftheother"spersontothrowhimintoprison；

theotherstrovetoanimatethepreachersinthevariouschurchestoconsignhisrival"ssoultohell。Inthedesertedstreetsdrumsthundered，whilstintheairbellsjangled，andthequiet，sleepytownwasrentintwainbythedissensionsoftheopposingpowers。Thechurchesclosedtheirdoors，andtheconsolationsofreligionwerewithdrawnfromthosewhowantedthem。

Toaddtotheconfusion，DonPedroCardenasescapedfromCorrientes，and，havingtakentohimselfacompanion

oneFranciscoSanchezdeCarreras

ragedthroughthecitylikeadevilunchained。Inhisextremity，thepoorBishopwenttotheJesuitsforadvice，informingthemhecouldnotstandthescandalsthatweretakingplace，andthatheintendedtoleavethecityafterlaunchinganinterdictofexcommunicationuponall。

PlacedinthepositionofdeclaringopenlyeitherforBishoporforGovernor，theJesuitsrefusedananswer，knowingthatanythingtheysaidwouldbebroughtupagainstthem。Alltheiradvicetohimwas，`totrustinGod，topersevereinhisgoodefforts，toresignhimselftodivinewill，whichwill，astheBishopknewfullwell，workedsometimesinamysteriousfashionforthewelfareofthesoul。"

TheBishopansweredthisadvice`fortsechement"，takingitforareproach，andasasortofthingnottobetoleratedamongstprofessionals

asifonelawyer，havinggonetoanotherforhisadviceuponaprivatematter，hadreceivedforansweralectureonconveyancingorashorttreatiseuponRomanLaw。

Charlevoix。

Still，theoccasioncalledforsomethingtobedone；

so，callinganIndianservant，hestrippedtothewaist，and，tothehorrorandamazementofthepublic，appearedwithnakedfeetandshoulders，dressedinasackandarmedwithaheavyscourge。

AtthefirstblowhegavehimselfsomecanonsoftheCathedralbeggedhimtodesist；buthe，afterprayer，repliedthatheintended，sotospeak，toactashisownPascallamb，andwipeouttheaffrontdonetoSt。Francisinhisunworthyblood。

AnakedBishopinasackisalmostsuretoattractsomeobservationeveninParaguay。Religiouswomennotunfrequentlyhavebeenattractedbysuchaspectacle，andsoitprovedonthisoccasion。

AlthoughtheJesuitsandthesanerportionofthepopulationblamedtheBishop"saction，hemadehimselfahostofpartisansamongstthewomenofallclasses，whofollowedhimastheyhaveoftenfollowedotherthaumaturgistsintimespresentandgoneby。

HisfriendDonMelchiorMaldonado，hearingwhathadpassed，wrotetoreprovehimforhisinconsideratezeal。Inhisepistleheobservedthat，thoughsomeoftheApostleshadscourgedthemselves，itwasnottheirhabittoappearhalfnakedbeforeacrowdofwomen；

thatourLordHimselfhadnotofHisownaccordtakenoffHisgarmentsforthescourger；thatsaintswhoscourgedthemselveshad，asageneralrule，chosenaprivateplacefortheirself

discipline。Thiswasquitereasonable，buttheadvicewaslittletothetasteoftherecipient，whohatedcriticismwhenlevelledathimself。

Ifcrossesmakeasaint，aboutthistimeDonBernardinohadhisfullshareofthem。NewscamefromItatines，wherethetwoJesuitshadbeenmarooned，thatbothofthemwereill。Cardenas，who，wemayremember，was`hommeavisions"，calledintherectoroftheJesuitcollegetoinformhimthattheCompanyofJesushadanewmartyrintheirranks。

Thoughmartyrs(evento

day)entertheranksofGeneralLoyola"sarmyprettyfrequently，itstillseemedstrangethattheBishopshouldknowofthisparticularrecruitbeforetherector。

Pressedforanexplanation，herepliedthatapiouspersonwhowasvouchsafedcommunicationwiththeLordinprayerhadseenFatherDomenecchiinheavenshiningingloryandwithahaloroundhishead。

Nothingcouldbemoresatisfactory。Alltheessentialsofawell

attestedmiraclehadbeencompliedwith。Amanwasdead，anothermanhadseenthedeadmaninanecstasyofprayer，and，tomakeallcomplete，refusedtotestifyhimself，sendingtheBishopasasortofpiousphonograph。Notruebelieverinsuchacasecoulddoubt，andallwentwelltillitappearedamanfromItatines，chargedwithamessagetotheJesuitcollege，hadpassedthenightbeforehegavehismessageattheBishop"shouse。InHolyWritwereadthewickedmanshallhavenorest；ifthisisso，itisasitshouldbe，thoughgenerallythegoodseemjustastroubledintheirlivesasthemosterringoftheirbrethren。Hewhowouldbeasaintmustbea

doing，yearin，yearout，justlikeacommonworkman，andCardenaswasnoexceptiontotherule。

Thepseudo

miraclenothavingbeenquiteasuccess，heturnedtootherfields，andsummonedalltheinhabitantsofParaguaytoattendattheCathedraluponacertainday。TheGovernor，thinkingtherewasarevolutionlikelytobreakout，fixedareviewofallthetroopsforthesamedate。

AJesuitpriestwaitedupontheBishoptopersuadehimthatthecrowdswhichwouldassemblemightbreakthepeace。TheBishopreassuredhim，andsenthimtotheGovernortosaythathisintentionwastopreachtothepeopleandexplaintothemthefaith；further，thatheintendedonthatdaytoraisehisexcommunicationandbereconciled:

onlyheaskedhimtoallowthetroopstoattendandhearhissermon。

Thecrowdwasgreat；theBishopmountedthepulpit，and，extendinghisforefingerintheattitudeofmaledictionsodeartoBishops，straightbegantopreach。Foratimeallwentwell。TheGovernor，presumably，waswaitingforthecirculationofthehat

thatawfulmysterywhichmakesallsectskin

whentohishorrorCardenasbegantoenumerateallhisoffences:hewasanathema，wasexcommunicated，adisbeliever，andhadendeavouredtocastdownthatwhichtheLordHimselfhadsetonhigh。

TheBishoptheninformedthecrowdthatGodwasangrywiththeGovernor，talkedaboutMoses，anddweltwithunctiononthefactthatthegreatlawgiverhadbeenswifttoslay。

Inaperorationwhich，nodoubt，wenthometoall，hecalleduponhishearers，underpenaltyofaheavyfineandhisdispleasure，toseizetheGovernor，addingthatiftherewasresistance`heshouldkillhisbrother，hisfriend，orhisnearestrelative。"Afterthesewordsheseizedabannerfromthehandsoftheastonishedofficerwhostoodnearesttohim，andstoodforth，likeanotherPhineas，surroundedbyhisclergy，allofwhomhadarmsbeneaththeircloaks。

Exod。32:27。

Amostdramaticscene，andprobablyalmostsuccessful，hadbuttheBishoponlyreckonedwithtwothings:Firstly，hehadforgottenthattheGovernorwasanoldIndianfighter，andreadyforsurprises；and，secondly，hehadnottakenintoaccounttheusualapathyofthecommonpeoplewhentheirleadersfight。Dumblyandquiteunmovedthepeoplestood，staringlikearmadillosatasnake，andmadenosign。ThenwordwasbroughtthattheGovernorhadleftthechurchandwasassemblingaforceofarquebusiers。

Surroundedonlybyclergymen，DonBernardinohadtoyield，andyieldedlikeaLevite，withasubterfuge。HesentapriesttobegthemagistratestocometotheCathedralandreasonwithhim。

Afteraconsultationthiswasdone，andCardenasconsentedtoabatehisfuryandexhalehiswrath。HesaidthatHolyWrititselfgaveleavetorecurtoforceinself

defence(butdidnotquotethetext)，andthattheGovernorhadmeditatedalikeenterpriseagainsthimself；

moreover，that，hebeinganexcommunicatedman，itbecamelawfulforGod"svicegerenttolayholdonhim。

Afterthescenewasover，andtheBishopwasescortedbacktohispalacebythemagistrates，asecondlettercamefromTucumanmakingplainhisconducttohimafterthemannerofafriend。

TherectoroftheJesuitsalsothoughtfittoremonstrate，andsaythatCardenashadgonetoofarinattemptingtoassumethetemporalpower。ThissufficedtofurtherstraintherelationsbetweentheBishopandtheJesuits。

As，eveninAsuncionin1643，itwasunusualthattheGovernorshouldremainforeverunderthebanofHolyMotherChurch，arbiterswerechosentodiscussthematter，andprovidemeanswherebytheBishopcouldconvenientlyclimbdown。ThearbitersabsolvedtheGovernorontheconditionthathepaidafineoffourthousandarrobasof`yerbamate"，whichinmoneyamountedtoeightthousandcrowns。Quitenaturally，theBishoprefusedtoabidebythedecision，replacedhisadversaryundertheban，andrecommencedtopreachagainsthimwithconsiderableforce。