A dozen native priests and about one hundred native sisters were working in the several missions.
"No, probably that drum was beaten by some of the native priests," explained the hunter.
From the first he favoured a Japanese clergy, and on his third visit had two native priests ordained.
According to legend, a deadly draught was administered to him by one of the native priests.
The few native Greek priests were afterwards absorbed in the tide of immigration (see below).
All bowed their heads as a native priest blessed the five small men and offered prayers in Spanish.
His debates over the rights of native priests had extended to include questions of race and nationalism.
He also granted native priests the authority to perform marriages.
These native priests, fighting for their existence against Christianity, promised that a return to tradition would mean an end to sickness and death.
He fought for equal rights of native priests against the abuses of their Spanish counterparts.