Ca’ Foscari Japanese Studies

Collana | Ca’ Foscari Japanese Studies
Monografia | A Failing Mission?
Capitolo | 3 • Failed Correspondence: The Vow of Obedience

3 • Failed Correspondence: The Vow of Obedience

Abstract

This chapter considers the importance of obedience in the Society of Jesus, and the strategies implemented to maintain it over long distances, such as between Europe and Asia. Believing his fellow missionaries were disobeying him, Cabral initially articulated his own method of control of the Japanese mission through visitations; however, he purported that only the creation of a special residence (whose exact nature changed often) could really rein in wayward missionaries, both European and Japanese ones. This chapter analyses Cabral’s endeavours to practice (and demonstrate) obedience towards his own superiors and how this attitude of his, together with a lack of response from Europe, led to a standstill of all possible reforms.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Presentato: 21 Giugno 2023 | Accettato: 25 Settembre 2023 | Pubblicato 31 Gennaio 2024 | Lingua: en


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