Pedro de Cordova

Infobox Person
name =Pedro de Cordova
image_size =
caption =
birth_date = c. 1460
birth_place = Cordova
death_date = 1525
death_place = Island of Santo Domingo
occupation = Spanish missionary
spouse =

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

Biography

He was born at Cordova 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 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.

ource

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11601c.htm Catholic Encyclopedia article]