326 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC, 



individual) shall annually pay one coined silver dollar to the 

 hospitals or other pious institutions. Those who are not enu- 

 merated shall pay the fourth part, which is two reales. Those 

 who are poor, and religious mendicants of both sexes, shall 

 only be obliged to pray on each day a Pater Noster and an 

 *^ve Maria, beseeching God in favor of religion and of the 

 state. Thus shall all obtain the benefits of the < indulgencia.' 



<^ In the same way and by the same means, may be enjoyed 

 all the spiritual privileges and indulgences, contained in the 

 summary of the bulas de Cruzada of the living and of the dead. 

 Not doubting this to be the will and religious intention of the 

 high dispenser of them, we, therefore, on our part, by the 

 powers ordinary and delegate which authorize us, concede 

 them for the relief and felicity of the faithful, and the tran- 

 quillity of their consciences. 



Given in Lima, December 12th 1825. 



^'Francisco J. de Echague, Dean. 



<^Dr. Jorje de Benavente, Secretary,'*^ 



The clergy of Peru, like that of all Spanish America, holds 

 in its ranks men of talents, deep scholastic learning and pa- 

 triotism, but the great mass of priests is composed of men who 

 are plunged in superstitious ignorance, and given to every kind 

 of immorality. 



The majority of those wearing the garb of the church, are 

 men of the lowest vices — men who stroll the streets ragged 

 and filthy in their persons — men who, in spite of their vows 

 of celibacy, live in open concubinage, and own themselves, 

 not only fathers of the church, but also of a numerous ofTspring, 

 doubly illegitimate. I have heard them boast of their success- 

 ful amours, and say that holy orders do not change human na- 

 ture ! The Peruvian clergy, particularly the lower grades, as 

 curates and sub-curates, have borne this character for the last 

 hundred years. Ulloa, in his " Noticias Secretas," complains 

 of their being addicted to women, gambling, and to imposing 

 upon their parishioners. His account is given in sober Ian- 



