Historical Biographies - A stan klos Company
TORIBIO, Saint, de MOGROVEJO,
Toribio Alfonso, Spanish-American archbishop, born in Mayorga, Spain, 6
November, 1538; died in Santa, Peru, 23 March, 1606. After finishing his studies
in Valladolid, he led a life of the severest asceticism, until he was summoned
to a professorship in the College of San Salvador in 1575. He became a favorite
with Philip II, and, after occupying many important offices, was made chief
magistrate of Granada.
In 1580 the Spanish monarch nominated him to the vacant see
of Lima, although he was at the time a layman. At first he refused, but it was
believed that Toribio was needed in America to bring about a reformation in the
lives of the Spanish colonists, whose profligacy was making the conversion of
the natives almost impossible.
He received, therefore, all the holy orders requisite for a
priest on four successive Sundays, was afterward consecrated bishop, sailed for
Peru, by way of Panama, entered Lima on 24 May, 1581, and soon afterward made a
formal visitation of his immense diocese, which extended along the coast for
nearly 400 miles, and was almost destitute of means of communication.
He proclaimed himself the protector of the natives, and
resumed the contest with their persecutors, from which Las Casas had retired in
despair. In 1583 he held a provisional council at Lima, in which the plans that
he suggested for the reformation of morals and for the amelioration of the
condition of the Indians met with violent opposition from several of his
suffragan bishops. He had also serious difficulties with Garcia Hurtado de
Mendoza, viceroy of Peru, and his conduct was censured by Philip II.
Nevertheless he continued to befriend the Indians. His
charity was without bounds, and not only his money, silver plate, etc., were
devoted to the relief of the needy, but he was often known to take the shirt
from his back and bestow it on a native.
He learned at an advanced age several of the Indian idioms,
and spoke Quechua, the language of the Incas, as it has been called. He
established missions in the most remote and inaccessible places, and founded
several churches, seminaries, and institutions for the poor and sick.
He was on his third diocesan visitation when he learned
that part of his diocese, several hundred miles from Lima, was devastated by the
plague. Hurrying thither to give the sufferers spiritual and physical aid, he
over-exerted himself, and fell a victim to exhaustion in Santa. His body was
taken to Lima, he was beatified in 1679 by Pope Innocent XI, and canonized by
Benedict XIII in 1726. His life was written by Antonio Leon Pinelo (Madrid,
1653).
Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John
Looby, Copyright © 2001 VirtualologyTM
TORIBIO, Saint, or MONGROVEJO, Toribio Alfonso, Spanish-American archbishop, born in Mayorga, Spain, 6 November, 1538; died in Sana, Peru, 23 March, 1606. After finishing his studies in Valladolid, he led a life of the severest asceticism, until he was summoned tea professorship in the College of San Salvador in 1575. He became a favorite with Philip I1., and, after occupying many important offices, was made chief magistrate of Granada. In 1580 the Spanish monarch nominated him to the vacant see of Lima, although he was at the time a layman. At first he refused, but it was believed that Toribio was needed in America to bring about a reformation in the lives of the Spanish colonists, whose profligacy was making the conversion of the natives almost impossible. He received, therefore, all the holy orders requisite for a priest on four successive Sundays, was afterward consecrated bishop, sailed for Peru, by way of Panama, entered Lima on 24 May, 1581, trod soon afterward made a formal visitation of his immense diocese, which extended along the coast for nearly 400 miles, and was almost destitute of means of communication. He proclaimed himself the protector of the natives, and resumed the contest with their persecutors, from which Las Casas had retired in despair. In 1583 he held a provisional council at Lima, in which the plans that he suggested for the reformation of morals and for the amelioration of the condition of the Indians met with violent opposition from several of his suffragan bishops. He had also serious difficulties with Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza, viceroy of Peru, and his conduct was censured by Philip lI. Nevertheless he continued to befriend the Indians. His charity was without bounds, and not only his money, silver plate, etc., were devoted to the relief of the needy, but he was often known to take the shirt from his back and bestow it on a native. He learned at an advanced age several of the Indian idioms, and spoke Quechua, the language of the incas, as it has been called. He established missions in the most remote and inaccessible places, and founded several churches, seminaries, and institutions for the poor and sick. He was on his third diocesan visitation when he learned that part of his diocese, several hundred miles from Lima, was devastated by the plague. Hurrying thither to give the sufferers spiritual and physical aid, he over-exerted himself, and fell a victim to exhaustion in Sana. His body was taken to Lima, he was beatified in 1679 by Pope Innocent XI., and canonized by Benedict XIII. in 1726. His life was written by Antonio Leon Pinelo (Madrid, 1653).
