… judges Francis’ ideas on the evangelization of the Americas
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Efficacious defense of the Indians – we vigorously prohibit that they be deprived of liberty in any way
We recommend and command each one of you assisting the same with the protection of an efficacious defense to the above-mentioned Indians in the provinces of Paraguay, Brazil and of the so-called River Plata [ Silver] as in any other part of the Western and Meridian Indies, we vigorously prohibit each and every one […] that they henceforth enslave these Indians, sell them, buy them, exchange them or give them, separate them from their wives and children, or in any other way deprive them of liberty or retain them in servitude. (Urban VIII. Letter to the Collector Jurium of the Apostolic Chamber of Portugal, April 22, 1639)
