clergy-from-spain

"His reputation as an historian rests secure upon his history of the Jesuit missions of Mexico."

"Ribas wrote under the most favourable circumstances and made good use of his opportunities."

"(About the Assumption of Mary) It is not likely that assumption should be understood of the soul only, both because local assumption properly and strictly refers to the body, and because the souls of other saints also were taken up into heaven though the Church professes and celebrates no assumption for them, but only their passing over, their departure, their birthday."

"[...] qui expresse non dicit substantiam, neque accidens, neque Deum, nec creaturam, sed haec omnia per modum unius, scilicet quatenus sunt inter se aliquo modo similia et conveniunt in essendo."

"It is time to place an end to the iniquity and as human persons who preach love and peace, we lift our voices in favor of life and no more abortion. The effort that we all make will be rewarded in Heaven and our names will be written in the Book of Life."

"There is no doubt that God is the sufficient cause and, so to speak, the teacher of natural law, but it does not follow that he is the legislator."

"While his superiors regarded him as one of the best and most zealous of friars, the people looked upon him as a saint."

"Let no man thinke (speaking of the Indians,) that they are men of nothing; but if they thinke so, let them go and make triall."

"Much of what he says is of necessity erroneous, because it is influenced by the standard of knowledge of his time; but his criticisms are remarkable, while always dignified. He reflects the scientific errors of the period in which he lived, but with hints of a more advanced understanding."

"Apart from his sophistical defence of Spanish colonial policy, Acosta deserves high praise as an acute and diligent observer whose numerous new and valuable data are set forth in a vivid style."

"The first challenge is that the peoples take possession of the Church, they must feel part of it, they must feel subjects of evangelization and not just an object. Thus, by discovering the Good News, they become true agents of transformation of reality. To succeed in this objective it is necessary that, as a Church, we accompany cultures through the promotion of formation and cultural development."

"He was almost the last survivor of the Fernandinos, and for virtue, learning, and missionary zeal ranks with the most brilliant of his predecessors."

"Ambition was his chief failing; otherwise he was reputed a good theologian and a friend of art and letters, virtuous, eloquent, and skilful in the business of the curia."

"One of the reasons which made me accept this bishopric was the fact that these Islands are near China... For a long time I have had the conversion of that kingdom at heart, and with that thought I came to these Islands."

"He excelled especially as a moral theologian; his classes of moral theology were attended by a greater number of students than were ever known to follow the course at Compostella. His decisions were regarded as oracles, and the most difficult cases were submitted to him for solution."

"Although he never visited America, he appeals particularly to Americans."

"Fr. Magin Catala stands conspicuous for zeal, sanctity, and an uncommonly long term of missionary activity in one place."

"Here the situation is completely different: the culture, the people, the distances, communities which are far away from each other, the geography, climate, etc.. Everything is striking and surprising: in the forest there are no seasons, it is always summer. The culture revolves completely around nature and the way of dealing with life is completely different. People face everything calmly and with great patience, unlike us Europeans, always anxious, apprehensive of how to cope with things... So they manage to live life in a more essential, more human manner, without creating obstacles."

"Our mother is without doubt in heaven, both body and soul; our queen and advocate is there, whose sight did rejoice all the hierarchies of angels, and all the court of Heaven; who interceded for us."

"The country is being ruined by the iniquity of its rulers!"

"The bishop was one quick to discern evils which he was powerless to remove; apt at the formation of plans he lacked the perseverance to execute; and assumed the attitude of a partisan, where it especially behooved a prelate to be unbiassed. Thus he was incessantly interfering in political matters, and personal relations between him and the president were soon exceedingly unpleasant."

"True, indeed, we bishops have need of you, as you also have need of us; for if we do not mutually assist one another, none of us can ever remedy the evils of which we hear so much."

"The activity displayed by the bishop-viceroy was astonishing, and seemed to be transmitted to all departments of the government."

"The reign of this ecclesiastic was remarkable for nothing except its extraordinarily brief duration."

"He gave unquestionable proof of ability and disinterestedness."

"His rule was short but severe; he encouraged education and religion, but signalized his advent by destroying a great number of idols and objects of antiquity that had been preserved as souvenirs of the conquest. In a word, he was a bigot, and as determined a foe to aboriginal culture, and strove as hard to eradicate all vestiges of it, as the infamous Zumárraga of the century previous. After the arrival of the succeeding viceroy, he was continued in his office of visitador, and made a great deal of trouble, especially in Puebla, by his domineering spirit."

"We are here to build the common good, to build an inclusive society and bring the joy of life in Christ, everywhere, to every man and woman. As believers in the Resurrection, as men and women of hope, we are bearers of a positive vision, of hope, joy and happiness."

"By great application joined to an unusually brilliant mind and an extraordinarily retentive memory he accumulated such a vast store of knowledge that his contemporaries styled him the wonder of the world."

"Mateo Sagade Bugueiro, was a man of rather haughty character, and ere long new difficulties arose between him and the representative of the crown, occasioned by the controversy of the former with the commissary-general of the holy crusade. The archbishop also publicly accused the viceroy of withholding and intercepting his correspondence with Spain, but finally a reconciliation was effected, and after that time a better understanding prevailed."

"He proved zealous in extending spiritual administration through curacies and convents, striving to bring into greater veneration sacred places and relics, and to practise charity in a manner that brought him in contact with the poor and assisted to make him popular with the masses. Among the rich and the officials he found less welcome, owing partly to his persevering efforts for episcopal rights, partly to the enforcement of a stricter morality among the higher classes."

"Berlanga sent to the crown a description of what he saw, a brief and unvarnished report from the standpoint of a cool-headed observer. His mission was well intended, but practically impossible. Pizarro had artfully removed the other party to the proposed arbitration, and Berlanga was too honest to yield to insinuations of a one-sided investigation."

"(Que) de un reino los cimientos Son la espada y son la pluma."

"Con veinte escudos Que harán hablar á los mudos, Me dice el procurador, Que de aquí me sacará."

"Lector, esto libro te ofrezco, sin que me aya mandado Señor alguno que le escriva, ni menos me ayan importunado mis amigos que le estampe, sino solamente por mi gusto, por mi antojo y por mi voluntad."

"Son tantos los ingratos, Que no hubiera calabozos, Si se hubieran de prender, En el mundo para todos."

"(Que) sin testigos amor Hace sus tiros mejor."

"(Que) siempre un hombre de bien Fué muy fácil de engañar."

"(Dice el refran) Si quieres un lindo rato, Bebe frio; si una hora, Come en tu casa temprano; Si un buen dia, hazte la barba; Si una semana, vé al baño; Si un buen mes, mata un lechon; Y si quieres un buen año, Cásate con mujer limpia."

"Es ya razon de estado y aun forzoso En la buena política y sus leyes, No casar en sus tierras á los reyes."

"(Que) echar candado â los labios Con nombre de sufrimiento O no es tener sentimiento O es alentar los agravios."

"Much courage is needed to make a decision of this importance, and I'm sure that he thought about it very thoroughly. So we ask the Lord to continue to accompany and bless him for the immense good he has done. Meanwhile I lament that in the future we won't have the lucidity and clarity of his teaching as Pontiff, although we will be able to continue to profit from the books, addresses and documents he has left us."