Forbidden to preach, Navarrate occupied himself with writing, hoping in this way to spread and confirm the faith. However, he was hampered too much and left for Rome in 1673 as prefect of the Dominican mission to discuss the question of Chinese Rites. This problem had reached an acute stage in China, with the Jesuits on one side and the Dominicans and Franciscans on the other.
Prohibited from preaching, Navarrate engaged in writing to propagate and validate his faith. However, he was hindered excessively and departed for Rome in 1673 as the prefect of the Dominican mission to address the issue of Chinese Rites. This conflict had reached a critical point in China, with the Jesuits on one side and the Dominicans and Franciscans on the other.