Francisco Marroquín facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Most Reverend Francisco Marroquín Hurtado |
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|---|---|
| Bishop of Santiago de Guatemala | |
Francisco Marroquín on a Guatemalan stamp
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Diocese of Santiago de Guatemala |
| In Office | 1534–1563 |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | Bernardino de Villalpando |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 8 April 1537 by Juan de Zumárraga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1478 Santander, Spain |
| Died | 19 April 1563 (84-85 years old) Guatemala City, Guatemala |
| Nationality | Spanish |
Francisco Marroquín (born 1499 – died April 18, 1563) was a very important person in the early history of Guatemala. He was the first bishop of Guatemala. He also helped translate languages spoken by people in Central America. For a short time, he was even the provisional Governor of Guatemala.
Early Life and Journey
Francisco Marroquín was born in 1499 in a place near Santander, Spain. When he was young, he studied important subjects like philosophy (thinking about big questions) and theology (the study of religion).
After he became a priest, he taught at the University of Osuna. There, he met Bishop García de Loaisa, who was an important adviser to Emperor Charles V of Spain. This connection helped Marroquín become a priest who worked for the Spanish royal family.
In 1528, a famous Spanish explorer and leader named Pedro de Alvarado visited Spain. Alvarado was the Governor of Guatemala. He met Marroquín and asked him to come to Guatemala with him. Marroquín agreed.
Arriving in Guatemala
Marroquín first arrived in Mexico. Then, in May 1528, he traveled with Pedro de Alvarado to Guatemala.
On April 11, 1530, he was chosen to be the main priest for the area of Guatemala. Later, on December 18, 1534, Pope Paul III officially appointed him as the first Bishop of Santiago de Guatemala. He also served as the temporary governor of Guatemala for a while.
On April 8, 1537, he was officially made a bishop by Juan de Zumárraga, who was the Archbishop of Mexico.
Helping People and Education
Bishop Marroquín cared a lot about educating the local people in Guatemala. In 1559, he started the School of Saint Thomas. This school later grew into the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, which is a very important university today.
He also became an expert in the Kʼicheʼ language, which is spoken by many native people in Guatemala. He wrote and published the very first catechism (a book of religious teachings) in the Kʼicheʼ language. This helped many people learn about Christianity in their own language.
Legacy
Today, a university in Guatemala City is named after him. It is called the Universidad Francisco Marroquín.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Marroquín para niños
