ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the Cartagena Jesuits' efforts to imbue forced African immigrants with a Christian faith characterized by sorrow for sin and reformation of life. It focuses on their adaptation of Jesuit ‘customary ministries’ – especially those related to confession and penance – to the realities of a cross-cultural, non-European context. Jesuit ministries to African slaves reveal that in fact transformations of Roman Catholic faith and practice were occurring all over the globe, shaped not only by interfaith rivalries in Europe, but also by the unique dynamics of cross-cultural interactions between European Christians and non-Europeans. Sandoval had learned from experience that the priest who ministered compassionately to the slaves’ corporal needs was able to distinguish himself in their eyes from the white ship captains and crew members, merchants and priests who had treated them so cruelly. In De instauranda, Sandoval advocates the use of interpreters for the purpose of hearing confessions.
