CERDA, Alfonso de la, Peruvian R. C. bishop, born in Caceres, Spain; died in Chuquisaca, Peru, in 1592. He immigrated to America, seeking his fortune; but the crimes of his fellow-adventurers disgusted him with the world, and he entered the convent of San Rosario in Lima, and took the habit of the Dominican order in 1545. He was elected successively prior of the convents of Porto Bello, Arequipa, and Lima, then preacher-general, and finally provincial. In this latter capacity he made a thorough visitation of his province, and established a rule that all candidates for missionary duty who had not a knowledge of the Indian languages should be rejected. In 1573 he was deputed by the Dominicans of Peru to defend their interests at Rome. He was successful in his mission, and returned to Spain. He was on the point of embarking for Peru when news arrived of the death of the bishop of Honduras. Philip II nominated Father de la Cerda to the vacant see, and he was consecrated before his departure for America. He did not remain long in Honduras, as the bishopric of Chuquisaca fell vacant and he was transferred to it. Shortly after his elevation he founded a convent of his order in Chuquisaca.