From: "Eddie Fernandes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
After reading the article, I tracked down, emailed and then phoned Cal
McCrystal who was a senior journalist on the staff of The Observer and who
happens to live quite near to me. I asked him for the source of his claims.
He told me that they were:
1. Quarterly Review Vol. 260, 1871.
2. The Blot upon the Brain, p. 165-188. 1843
from the Observer article:
* Francis Xavier, a TALL, spare, well-born RECRUIT to the new Society of
Jesus, founded in 1534 by Ignatius of Loyola
* Many months later, the body was exhumed and taken to Goa
* Portuguese shipowner, James Pereira, ... ordered that the corpse be
stuffed with part of his cargo to preserve it.
Also from "Eddie Fernandes" <You will know about taxidermy. Could this be
the explanation for the state of the body?>
====
Dear Eddie,
A few points.
1. Has Mr. McCrystal visited Bom Jesus? If so, has he seen the Vestments
(purportedly) used by SFX ? From my estimate, it would hardly be likely for
a "TALL" SFX to have used such small vestments.
2. Was Francis Xavier a RECRUIT to the new Society of Jesus, or did he,
along with Ignatius Loyola and 5 others jointly found the Society of Jesus ?
3. Was the body of SFX exhumed and taken to Goa ? or did was it somewhere
else for a few months (after it was exhumed) before being taken to Goa.
4. When one looks at the manner in which 'decomposition' is studied by
forensic pathologists, does the account of Mr. McCrystal cut any mustard
with the realm of probability?
5. You note that Mr. McCrystal used some old publications as references. But
have these "references" put through any scientific tests for authenticity?
Or do they become credible because the Vatican banned these books. The
Vatican in its infinite "wisdom" (for want of a better word) has banned many
things in the past. In that regard, the Vatican's tolerance has been no
better than that of the rigid Protestants, Muslims, Hindus and Atheists.
6. Do you believe that Taxidermy ( not the crude variety ) was available in
the days immediately following the death of SFX?
7. One point to note is the time of year that SFX died. That part of China
is frozen in December to February. Explains finding the body (at the time it
was exhumed) in the state it was found - not the state it was when it
remained in Malacca or during its voyage to Goa and thereafter. Hence, Mario
may been on target .
Personally, I have more interest in SFX's life and work. I am presently
reading (bit by bit) the Letters of SFX. Absolutely fascinating stuff. The
rest of the conjecture is OK for the "conspiracy theorists".
good wishes as always
jc
ps: I read another comment (Afra) about the preserving effect of lime. Is
Lime not an alkali - a Caustic substance? ...unless we are thinking about
Lime as in Limbu Sodh.
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