Miguel de Benavides facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend Miguel de Benavides O.P. |
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| Archbishop of Manila | |
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| Province | Manila |
| See | Manila |
| Enthroned | October 7, 1602 |
| Reign ended | July 26, 1605 |
| Predecessor | Ignacio Santibáñez, O.F.M. |
| Successor | Diego Vázquez de Mercado |
| Other posts | Bishop of Nueva Segovia |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1568 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1552 Carrión de los Condes, Habsburg Spain |
| Died | July 26, 1605 (aged 52–53) Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines, New Spain, Spanish Empire |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Styles of Arzobispo Miguel de Benavides |
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| Reference style | Monseñor |
| Spoken style | Su Excelencia Reverendísima |
| Religious style | Reverendísimo |
Miguel de Benavides (born around 1552, died July 26, 1605) was an important Spanish leader in the Catholic Church. He was a member of the Dominican Order, a group of priests. Miguel de Benavides became the third Archbishop of Manila, a very important religious role. Before that, he was the first Bishop of Nueva Segovia. He is also famous for starting the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, which is a big university today.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Miguel de Benavides was born in 1552 in Carrión de los Condes, Spain. His family was noble, meaning they had a high social standing. He decided to join the Dominican Order, a religious group, in a place called San Pablo de la Moraleja. He later worked at the Colegio de San Gregorio.
In 1587, he traveled to Manila with the first group of Dominicans. From there, they went to China. He hoped to help the Catholic church grow in China. Later, he had to leave China.
Helping Others in Manila
After returning to Manila, Miguel de Benavides opened a hospital. This hospital was specifically for Chinese people living in Binondo, a district in Manila. He then became the leader of his Dominican order there. He also traveled back to Spain with Bishop Domingo de Salazar. They went to speak up for the local Filipino people against unfair treatment by the Spanish.
Becoming a Bishop
In 1597, Miguel de Benavides was chosen to be the first bishop of Nueva Segovia. He was officially made a bishop in Mexico. He helped write a very important book called the Doctrina Christiana. This book was in Chinese and was one of the first books ever printed in the Philippines.
He arrived in Nueva Segovia in 1599. After three years, he was appointed as the Archbishop of Manila. This happened on October 7, 1602. King Philip III of Spain even paid for his move to Manila. This was because Benavides did not have much money himself.
Important Decisions as Archbishop
As Archbishop, he made important decisions. On September 9, 1603, he asked the Franciscans to look after the Japanese people living in the Philippines. In the same year, he told the government about possible trouble from the Chinese population. He was trying to prevent problems from happening.
His Legacy and Death
Miguel de Benavides passed away on July 26, 1605, in Manila. He left behind his books and personal belongings. These were worth about ₱1,500, which was a lot of money back then.
He wanted his property to be used to start a school. This school would offer higher education. Today, that school is known as the famous University of Santo Tomas. It is one of the oldest universities in Asia.
See also
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia
- University of Santo Tomas
- Miguel de Benavides Library
- History of University of Santo Tomas
- Roman Catholicism in the Philippines
- First book of the Spanish Philippines
