ings of the storm caused by the visitation of
the regulars by the bishops break in the Philippines. The dates of the
arrival of the various orders are given; and the narrative continues:]

719.... Those holy orders, each one doing its share, declared pitiless
war against paganism, and achieved signal victories in that war,
destroying the idols of Belial and planting solidly the health-giving
sign of the cross; so that whatever is conquered in the islands is
due to their fervent zeal. For they planted the faith, and watered
that land with blood so that it might produce fruit abundantly; and
God was the cause of so wonderful an increase. The system that they
have always followed in the spiritual administration of the missions
and villages which they have formed at the cost of their sweat is
the same as that observed in America in the beginning by various
apostolic privileges. In the provincial chapters held by each order,
they appoint as superiors of the houses established in the villages
of Indians who are already converted, those religious who are fit to
exercise the office of cura by their learning, their morals, and other
qualities. The same is also done in regard to the residences of the
active missions, where those thus appointed continue the preaching to
and conversion of the heathen, with very perceptible progress. Both
the former and the latter exercise the ministries to which they
are destined, without need of other approbation than that of the
definitors--who entrust to these heads of houses the administration
of the sacraments and the spiritual cultivation of those souls, in
the respective territory where the convent is located, a superior
being elected for each convent. This is done independently of the
bishops. Likewise the definitors of each order in their meetings
appoint various of the most learned and experienced men, to whom is
entrusted and delegated the faculty of giving dispensation in regard
to the obstacles of marriage, and the exercise of other favors and
privileges contained in the pontifical briefs. Those powers are never
exercised if the diocesans are intra duas dietas, [31] without their
permission and approbation; and always this is done [only] in cases
of evident necessity.

720. The provincials visit their provinces annually; and the said
religious not only in what concerns their profession and regular
observance, but also in what relates to their activities as curas. The
diocesan prelate