GARZA, Lazaro de la (gar'-tha), Mexican R. C. bishop, born in Pilon, Nueva Leon, 17 December 1785; died in Barcelona, Spain, 11 March, 1862. He studied law at the University, and was admitted to the bar in 1810, but in 1815 was ordained as a priest. He became successively vice-rector of the seminary, rector of Tepotzotlan, professor of canonical law at the seminary, and rector of the Church of the Holy Shrine in the capital. In 1819 he had taken the degree of doctor in canonical law, and in 1830 doctor of common law in the University of Caracas. In 1837 he became bishop of Sonora, and proceeded immediately to establish a seminary there. He also began to build a cathedral, and endowed many other Churches with paintings, images, and vestments. He was confirmed archbishop of Mexico in 1830, and then devoted nearly his whole revenue to works of charity. On the publication of the decree of 25 June, "1856, secularizing the Church property, Garza attacked the government violently, and openly favored the reactionary party under Miramon. When the liberal party triumphed, Garza, together with other bishops, was banished by decree of 17 January 1860, and fixed his residence in Havana. In 186l he was called to Rome by Pope Plus IX., but died on his way thither.