Juan Alejo de Arizmendi
| Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi | |
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 Alejo de Arizmendi was the first Puerto Rican to be consecrated Bishop. |
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| Born | July 17, 1760 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Died | October 12, 1814 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Occupation | priest |
| Notes
His remains are in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, in Puerto Rico.
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Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi [note 1] (July 17, 1760 – October 12, 1814) was a patriot and the first Puerto Rican to be consecrated Bishop.
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[edit] Early years
Arizmendi was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and there he studied in the convent of the Dominican Frays. He then went to Caracas, Venezuela where he studied Canonic and Civil Law. He earned his Doctorate degree in the Dominican Republic and on July 16, 1785, he was ordinated a priest.[1]
[edit] First Puerto Rican Bishop
In 1803, the King of Spain, Carlos IV, made a petition to the Catholic Church, to have Arizmendi named Bishop. On March 25, 1804 Pope Pius VII consecrated Arizmendi, Bishop of San Juan.[1]
Upon his return to Puerto Rico, Arizmendi dedicated himself to charity. He was especially interested in helping the poor and needy. Arizmendi financially supported the Hospital of the Conception of San Juan, with money from his own pockets. During his free time, he would make castles out of straws and sell them. He would then use the money to buy clothes, food and other items for the poor. Arizmendi, took it upon himself to nurse and to take care of the sick. He was the founder of the Concellor Seminary in San Juan. In 1804, Rafael Cordero, a Puerto Rican of African ancestry who was to become known as "The Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico", received the sacrament of Confirmation from the hands of Bishop Arizmendi.[1]
[edit] Patriot
Political activists in modern times claim Arizmendi was also a patriot with liberal thoughts without providing historical conceptual verification. He was a stern supporter of Ramon Power y Giralt when this veteran of the Spanish navy and past frigate Captain was asked to represent Puerto Rico in front of the Spanish Courts in Cadiz. In reality intended as a reminder of the poor, but interpreted by some in modern times as a patriotic gesture, Arizmendi gave Ramon Power his episcopal ring, "as sure pledge that will sustain you in the memory of your resolution to protect and maintain the rights of our fellow countrymen, as I myself am resolved to die for my beloved flock". There is no evidence either man was disloyal to the monarchy.[2] A modern day interpretation, which has no historical foundation that can be found in the footnote, is that for Arizmendi this was also a national symbol of Puerto Rico by joining his country and God in his heart[1] Arizmendi's statement may have inspired the seizure in 1810 of all ecclesiastical stipends by the royal treasury,[2] but most likely it was the end of the Situado from Mexico the same year.
In 1814, after traveling around the island in his second pastoral visit he fell ill in Hormigueros in whose Hermitage, now the Basilica Menor de la Virgen de Monserrate, he desired to be buried.[3] Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi died in the City of Arecibo, Puerto Rico on October 12, 1814. His remains are in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, in Puerto Rico.
[edit] Honors and recognitions
Arizmendi was immortalized by Puerto Rican artist Jose Campeche in a painting in 1803. Puerto Rico has honored Arizmendi's memory by naming schools and avenues after him. The University of Puerto Rico has an Institute of Historic Studies Juan Alejo de Arizmendi. The Catholic Church also has a medal called the "Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi Medal".[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Alejo and the second or maternal family name is Arizmendi.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Puerto Rico eb
- ^ a b Schwab, Gail M.; Jeanneney, John R. (1995). The French Revolution of 1789 and its impact. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0313293392. http://books.google.com/books?id=ne3jNvz-gXAC&pg=PA268&lpg=PA268&dq=Arizmendi+puerto+rico+bishop.
- ^ The Catholic historical review (1919 ed.). Catholic University of America Press.. 1919. pp. 358. http://books.google.com/books?id=V8htL2FcRjQC&pg=PA358&lpg=PA358&dq=Arizmendi++pastoral+visit+puerto+rico. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
