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| You are in: Museum of History >> Hall of North and South Americans >> Vaseo de Quiroga | |
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QUIROGA, Vaseo de, Mexican R. C. bishop, born in Madrigal, Old Castile, in 1470; died in Uruapam, 14 March, 1565. He studied law and theology, and was one of the judges of the chancellor's court of Valladolid, when he was appointed by the queen regent in 1530 one of the judges of the second audiencia, which, under Sebastian Ramirez de Fuenleal, arrived in Mexico in the beginning of 1531.
With the proceeds of his office he founded near the capital the hospital of Santa Fé, and by his just measures soon gathered a population of 30,000 Indians, whom he converted to Christianity, and taught to lead a civilized life. For that reason, when the newly conquered Chichimec Indians of the province of Michoacan became rebellious in 1533, he was sent there as visitor, and soon pacified the rebels by his prudent and just measures, remaining with them as their pastor and protector.
The emperor nominated him first bishop of Michoacan, and he transferred the seat of the bishopric from Tzintzuntzan to Patzcuaro, where he founded a cathedral, the Seminary of San Nicolas, and another hospital of Santa Fé, like the one near Mexico. His exertions to gather the Indians in several large towns, and make each the centre of an industry, were very successful, and he was greatly beloved by his subjects.
In 1547 he went to Spain on business, and was often called by the emperor and council of the Indies to give advice regarding colonial questions. After his return to Mexico he assisted in 1555 in the first provincial council, and died on a pastoral visit in Uruapam. His body was buried in the cathedral of Patzcuaro.
Besides several manuscripts on ecclesiastical affairs, he wrote "Doctrina para los Indios Chichimecos," in the Chichimec language (Mexico, 1568), and "Reglas y Ordenanzas para los Hospitales de Santa Fé de Mexico y de Michoacan," to which is appended a biography of the author (Mexico. 1766).
Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John Looby, Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.comTM