Pedro de Córdoba

Pedro de Córdoba
Born	c. 1460 Córdoba, Spain
Died	1525 Island of Santo Domingo
Occupation	Spanish missionary

Pedro de Córdoba was a Spanish missionary, author and inquisitor on the island of Hispaniola.

Biography

He was born at Córdoba in Andalusia, southern Spain, about 1460. 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 1525.

Source

• Catholic Encyclopedia article

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.