Note 38 — Chapter X · THE AUDIENCIA AND THE CHURCH: THE ROYAL PATRONAGE

The statement has been made above that the audiencia was not allowed to interfere in the internal régime of the convents or monasteries.38 However, when the provincials of the orders were unable to keep the friars in subordination they frequently called upon the civil government for support and assistance. This was done in 1715 when the Castilian Recollects rebelled against their provincial, incorporated themselves into a separate chapter, and entrenched themselves in the convent at Bagumbayan, outside the Manila wall. Oidor Torralba, then acting as governor and vicepatron, came to the support of the provincial upon appeal. He cannonaded the recalcitrants, arresting and imprisoning them on their surrender, and finally banished their leaders.39 On this same occasion, it may be noted, the provincial solicited the aid of the archbishop, whose interference the rebellious friars had resisted as an attempt at episcopal visitation.