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 Virtualology^TM

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).

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