Pedro de Córdoba
| Pedro de Córdoba | |
|---|---|
| Born |
c. 1460 Córdoba, Spain |
| Died |
May 4, 1521 Island of Santo Domingo |
| Occupation | Spanish missionary |
Pedro de Córdoba (c.1460–1525) was a Spanish missionary, author and inquisitor on the island of Hispaniola. He was first to denounce the Spanish system known as the Encomienda, which amounted to the practical enslavement of natives of the New World, for the abuses that it engendered.
Life and career
He was born at Córdoba, Andalusia, southern Spain. He studied theology at the University of Salamanca and there joined the Dominicans.
About 1510 he went to the Island of Santo Domingo, founding the Santa Cruz province of the order. He was a zealous protector of the Indians and a friend and mentor of Bartolomé de las Casas.
His book, "Doctrina cristiana para instruccion é informacion de los Indios por manera de historia", was printed in 1544 at Mexico by directions of Bishop Zumárraga. It was destined for the education of the Indians, chiefly of the Caribbean islands, and is one of the earliest books of catechism known to have been composed in America.
Fray Pedro was the first inquisitor appointed in the New World. He enjoyed the reputation of a model priest, highly respected by the clergy, the laity, and the Indians. He died on Santo Domingo in 1521.
Sources
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.