Manuel Abad y Lasierra facts for kids
Manuel Abad y Lasierra (1729–1806) was a Spanish bishop and writer. He was also the head of the Spanish Inquisition for a short time, from 1793 to 1794.
Manuel Abad y Lasierra's Early Life and Education
Manuel Abad y Lasierra was born in a town called Estadilla on December 24, 1729. His father, Francisco Abad Navarro, was from Estadilla, and his mother, María Teresa Lasierra, was from Barbuñales.
He went to the University of Huesca for his education. After finishing his studies, he became a priest. Soon after, he joined the Benedictine monks at the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña. There, he spent his time studying History and old objects.
Career and Important Roles
Manuel Abad y Lasierra became well-liked by Charles III of Spain, who was the king at the time. This happened because Manuel found old rights of the crown that people had forgotten about. In 1773, he became a member of the Real Academia de la Historia, which is a famous group that studies history. Later, he became the leader, or prior, of a monastery in Vilanova de Meià. In 1782, he traveled to the royal court in Madrid. He hoped to find someone to help him publish his academic writings.
On July 18, 1783, he was chosen to be the very first Bishop of Ibiza. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the Christian church. He officially became a bishop on August 17, 1783. Later, on September 28, 1787, he became the bishop of another area called Astorga.
In 1789, he was called to Madrid again. The king, Charles IV of Spain, wanted him to teach his children. However, this plan did not happen in the end. He stopped being the Bishop of Astorga on April 9, 1791. On April 11, 1792, he became a Titular Archbishop of a place called Selymbria. This means he had the title of archbishop, but without a specific area to lead.
Grand Inquisitor and Later Life
In April 1793, Manuel Abad y Lasierra became the Grand Inquisitor of Spain. This meant he was the head of the Spanish Inquisition, a powerful religious court. However, he had to leave this position the very next year. It is thought that he tried to make changes to the Spanish Inquisition to make it less secret, which might have caused his resignation. In 1794, he became the head of the monastery at Sopetrán, in Guadalajara.
He retired to his hometown of Estadilla in 1798. Manuel Abad y Lasierra passed away in Zaragoza on January 12, 1806, after an accident. He was buried in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar on January 14, 1806.
