Information on the mission in China and the defence of the Society of Jesus’ privileges: transcription and background notes on a report by Prospero Intorcetta (1625-1696) to Propaganda Fide
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[1] University of Catania
University of Catania
Catania, Italia
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- Localización: Magallánica: revista de historia moderna, ISSN 2422-779X, Vol. 11, Nº. 22, 2025, págs. 207-236
- Idioma: español
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Resumen
This contribution offers, for the first time, a complete transcription of the report presented in 1672 by the Jesuit Prospero Intorcetta, in his capacity as procurator of the mission of the Society of Jesus in China, to the cardinals of the Congregation De Propaganda Fide. Intorcetta furnishes information about the Chinese mission, illustrates the conditions required to elevate Chinese Christians to priestly dignity, and defends the privilege granted to the Society's fathers in China by Paul V regarding the authority to translate the Bible, the Missal and the Roman Breviary into Chinese. The aim of this work is to spotlight the conflict that characterized the relations between religious orders in the second half of the 17th century, and between the Jesuits and the Congregation De Propaganda Fide. The end of Jesuit pre-eminence in the evangelization of China was one of the first indications of a shift in the balance of power that took place in Europe, which would subsequently lead to the suppression of the religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola.
