Note 211 — Chapter XVIII
Reading edition
The priests of the island of St. Thomé, upon the coast of Africa, are negroes. I have seen some of these men at Recife, who have come over for a short time. I have heard that they are prohibited from saying Mass any where excepting upon the island for which they are ordained; but I can scarcely think that this can be correct. In the Voyage du Chevalier des Marchais en Guinée, isles voisines et a Cayenne, I find that men of mixed blood were ordained in the islands of St. Thomé and Principe, and the editor of the work says, “presque tout le clergé de la cathedrale (of St. Thome) étoit de cette couleur.” Vol. iii. p. 4. “L’Eglise de S. Antoine qui est la Paroisse (of Prince’s Island) est déservie par des prêtres noirs ou presque noirs, c’est à dire mulâtres.” p. 30.