- Author:
- Lala, Ramon Reyes
- Publication Info:
-
New York:
Continental publishing company,
1899,
pg 77
Text on page 77
The Church in the Colony.
77
panding power. But, after a fierce struggle, he succeeded in so curtailing their privileges that he still retained his pre-eminence in the colony.
Urdaneta and his Austin friars were the pioneers in the islands, and following them came a horde of Dominicans and Franciscans, and the Rec-oletos, or bare-foot monks. As the saving of souls was the chief policy of Philip II., the cooperation of the friars was eagerly welcomed by the .early Colonial Government, and it must be admitted that without their influence the lot of the natives would have been a far harder one. For the substitution of the rites of paganism for those of Christianity, even in so crude a form as taught by the friars, was, in the main, beneficial. Religionathough not of a very exalted kindawas put on an ethical basis, and the self-denial, obedience, and sacrifice A PARISH PRIEST'
that formed the foundation of the new7 doctrine, somewrhat reconciled the conquered races to the loss of their primal freedom.
the monks opposed to reform.
These orders, presenting the united front of a corporation, were extremely powerful, and practically unassailable. When arrayed against an individual, it always resulted in his defeat,athat is, his expulsion or imprisonment. They practically had their way in all things and under all circumstances. Nothing could withstandThese orders, presenting the united front of a corporation, were extremely powerful, and practically unassailable. When arrayed against an individual, it always resulted in his defeat,a that is, his expulsion or imprisonment. They practically had their way in all things and under all circumstances. Nothing could withstand
