Revealed the fact that before the proclamation of martial law I had to decide on the issue of whether to establish a revolutionary government and approve a “prescription list” of those to be eliminated as “obstacles to the revolution” or to continue with the government as a constitutional extension under martial law. In choosing the latter I had to quickly put out opposition from hard-core revolutionaries who wanted to start clean “it being easier to build a new house than to repair an old one specially one that was wrecked.”
Honored [Sebastiano] Cardinal Baggio of the Vatican—Head of the Congregation of Bishops—with a luncheon. Before that, with Sec. J. [Juan] Ponce Enrile and USec. [Carmelo] Barbero, I frankly informed him that there were priests who were frankly subversive if not communist. Sec. Enrile went farther and said some priests are actually using churches to conceal communists and their guns. We emphasized that the leftist priests are only nuisances and not threats but that we would have to take action soon. We needed their understanding and support for our counter-action. We referred specially to alien priests particularly the Association of Religious Superiors.
Cardinal Baggio informed us that he believed an order or instruction was going to be issued soon on the proper role or mission of the religious.
The Papal Nuncio has requested a memorandum on this so that he can more aggressively recommend expeditious actions by the Vatican. This memorandum should include the Sign of the Times of the Asso. of Major Religious Superiors.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
It is unknown where this text comes from, because this entry is missing.