Sobre el robo de la cruz del Santo Niño de Cebú por un sacristán, esclavo del convento. 1625.

the year twenty-five on the feast of the child Jesus he saw Padre Fray Juan de Ricovajo talking to the colleague of his most reverend lordship [about] dressing the image of the child and asking [if he knew about] the cross. And the said father saw and certified that the cross was not there and was missing on account of all the above reasonable doubts that this declarant had along with the rest of the fathers, and [because] the cross was already missing when he took possession of the church. He delayed giving notice to our father provincial [fearing] everything that has happened now [would take place], that the cross proves missing and the slaves are on the loose and revolting and that the service and the work of the church are disrupted. And that this declarant, after becoming prior, has always turned over the key to a [member of the] religious [order], always making sure that nothing should take place. And in this he has taken particular care as everyone in his company can attest to. And this is the truth for the oath [he has] made where he affirmed and ratified and said that he is fifty years of age more or less and he signed it in his name.

Fray Pedro Obispo

Fray Juan de Montemayor

Before myself Fray Juan de Ricovayo

{On the left margin: Declaration of Hermano Fray Martin de Jesus}

Today on the said day month and year, his most reverend lordship summoned before himself for said investigation brother Fray Martín de Jesús from whom was received a legal oath according to his mandate. He swore [this oath] and promised to say the truth and when asked what he knew about what occurred regarding the theft of the cross, he said that when Padre Prior Fray Juan de Tujo turned over the box and jewels and the rest of the items of the sacristy to Padre Fray Antonio Ximénez, this declarant was only present during the turnover of the expenses and that he does not know

when the cross was stolen. Regarding what Tomás said, that he was the one who stole the cross and that this declarant gave him the key, it is possible that he gave him the key since they had made him so busy that he could not attend to everything because, at the time, Padre Fray Antonio was sick and he was in the house of Juana Decejas. Usually, Padre Fray Antonio was with him during the day and that it could be at that time that the robbery took place. And later, when Padre Fray Antonio got better, the declarant was sent to the Bohol ranch where he stayed for a year. And this is the truth for the oath that he swore in which he affirmed and ratified and stated that he is fifty years of age more or less and that he did not sign because of ignorance. His most reverend lordship signed.

Fray Pedro Obispo

Before myself Fray Joan de Ricovayo

This page is not translated, please help translate this page

This page is not translated, please help translate this page

This page is not translated, please help translate this page