account of those Christians who were not yet so well instructed as they ought to be but that before the meeting of the Synod, at which he promised to sign the documents before all the assembly, he hoped to be able to prepare them to receive whatsoever should be therein determined; and this he thought that he should accomplish more effectually if they knew nothing of his having already submitted to the Roman Church. The Archbishop saw the expediency of conceding thus much, and answered, "That although a profession of faith was so much the better by how much the more publicly it was made, yet that he so far approved of the reason that he had given for the opposite course, as to dispense with his making it openly on that occasion. They then repaired, in company with the Jesuit, Francisco Roz, to the Archbishop's lodgings, where, having shut the doors, the Archdeacon knelt down before a crucifix which stood on the table, and, laying his hands on the Missal, swore to the ten articles, and also to the profession of faith. Menezes, suspicious of his recanting, then required him to put his signature to them, that he might not be able afterwards, however inclined, to deny what he had done. 23. On the following morning, when the cattanars were assembled, the Archbishop acquainted them with his intention to call a Synod very speedily; to which they all assented. It was next debated where it should be held, and Angamale was named as the most suitable place, being the metropolis of the diocese; but to this Menezes had three objections -First. Because the Christians there, were, of all the Syrians, the most devoted to their ancient religion.-Secondly. Because it A. D. 1599. It is deterhold the Diamper. mined to Synod at CHAP. V. Both parties monses to their flocks to attend. was not in the dominions of the Rajah of Cochin, who was more dependent on the Portuguese than the other princes of Malabar, and, therefore, most to be relied on for protection.Thirdly. Because it was too far from the Portuguese garrison of Cochin. These objections showed that he still had a suspicion of their sincerity. No one, however, ventured to offer any remark upon them; and it was unanimously resolved, that the Synod should be held in the town of Diamper, which was at no great distance from Cochin; and also, that it should be opened on the 20th of June, 1599, being the third Sunday after Whitsuntide. 24. In pursuance of this decision, the Archissue sum- bishop and Archdeacon issued their letters respective (ollas), summoning a sufficient number of priests, and all the procurators 5 of their respective jurisdictions, to assemble at the town of Diamper on the day appointed, and to come with full powers to treat on all matters relating to the Church at the Diocesan Synod to be holden there. These letters bore date the 11th of May, allowing six weeks to prepare for the business, which interim the Archbishop did not fail to improve to his own purpose. Visit from of Anga male. 25. Before he left Vaipicotta, the Caimal of Angamale, who went by the name of The black rajah of Malabar, came to pay him a visit. The Archbishop received him very courteously; and at parting, according to the eastern custom with persons of state or property, gave him a handsome present. It consisted of several pieces of very rich cloth, with which he had provided himself at Goa to a large amount, for the purpose, as already stated, of making pre 5 The duties of these Officers were similar to those of the English Church-Wardens. sents in the Serra. The Caimal, who is described as a violent and inhuman prince, was so delighted with his present, that he promised Menezes to see him obeyed in all things. A. D. 1599. finishes the 26. When the Caimal left him, the Arch- Menezes bishop returned to Cranganore, where he im- decrees for mediately set to work, assisted by Francisco the Synod. Roz, to compose the decrees for the Synod. They were all written with his own hand verbatim, as afterwards published by himself: and when finished, he had them translated out of Portuguese into Malabar. Then, having observed that the Syrian churches were without altars, he consecrated a stone altar for every church in the Serra. support him. 27. His next step was, to engage all the Engages neighbouring princes and their chief officers, heathen princes and though they were heathen, to assist him, which was officers to accomplished without difficulty. So much again for his consistency, in thus doing the very thing that he had alleged as the poor Archdeacon's chief offence, and as proving him unworthy of the Christian name. 28. The only thing now remaining to be done was, to secure a majority of votes at the approaching Synod, which, he flattered himself, was to be the consummation of his labours. This he effected by ordaining no less than fifty cattanars on Trinity Sunday, in the church of Paru, having previously required them to abjure their ancient communion, and subscribe the creed of Pope Pius the Fourth. These, together with the youths whom he had before ordained, were devoted to his cause, and they made together about two thirds of the cattanars at the Synod. He also took measures to secure the votes of several of the most considerable of the procurators, by making them valuable pre Holds an ordination, other means majority at the Synod. and uses to secure a CHAP. V. sents. To the leading man among them he gave a cross, set with diamonds of great value; and another equally valuable he presented to an aged cattanar, who had been the friend and companion of their late prelate, Mar Abraham. Thus did he prepare successfully to act the farce of a general Synod: for it deserves to be regarded as no better than a farce, both because he had already laid claim to the jurisdiction, and performed the episcopal functions; that is to say, he had done all the business, which it was the chief, and the avowed object of the Synod to determine whether he was, or should be, authorized to do: and also because, instead of leaving every one to deliberate and vote according to the dictates of his conscience and judgment, he used every expedient he could devise to destroy the freedom of the assembly. By holding out to the Portuguese the prospect of commercial advantages from his success, he obtained their unanimous support. By threats, promises or bribes, he induced the most influential of the heathen rajahs and their officers, either to promote his object, or, at least, to withdraw their opposition. By intimidating the Archdeacon, ordaining a majority of clergy, caressing some already in orders, and with presents conciliating the chief of the laity, he prepared them all obsequiously to listen to the decrees which he had already composed for their acceptance. An assembly convened under such circumstances cannot rightly be called a Synod, the object of which was always understood to be, freely and fully to discuss the ecclesiastical affairs of a given province. Whereas, nothing was further from the intention of Menezes than to allow of any discussion whatever, having already determined all the matters to be brought before the assembly, and secured their concurrence. A. D. 1599. Simon's his conduct. 29. These nefarious proceedings have not Father met with universal approbation even in the candid reRoman Church. Father Simon was heartily marks on ashamed of them, and attributed to them the failure of all attempts to secure the permanent attachment of this people to the Pope. He has judiciously and candidly remarked-" All that these methods have hitherto produced, serves only to let the world see by what means the Roman religion has been established in the East, which he that knows will not wonder, that all the re-unions which have been made with the people we call Schismatics in those parts, have been so short lived."6 Had Menezes and his colleagues trodden in the steps of the Apostles; had they placed before the Syrians the single object of serving the Lord Jesus Christ; had they faithfully proclaimed His Gospel to them, and relied on His power and promise to make it effectual to the conversion of souls; the result would have been very different indeed. It is true, the pretensions of the Pope could no more have withstood such a declaration of the truth, than the darkness of night can withstand the rising day. And since the primary object of this Archbishop was to uphold the papacy, the means he used, though most antichristian, corresponded, at least, with the end he had in view. But they were infamous to the last degree, and ere long they brought down the righteous judgment of heaven, to the overthrow of the cause which they were employed to establish. 6 Simon's Histoire Critique, or, Critical History of the Old Testament, p. 109. Geddes, p. 108. |