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Counter-Reformation · Saint
St Turibius of Mogrovejo
Archbishop of Lima
MissionaryReformerConfessor
1538 – 1606
1578
Ordained
1580
Consecrated Bishop
Lima
Diocese
Peru
Country
The Life
Born in 1538 in Mayorga, Spain, Turibius was a respected lawyer and a layman when King Philip II nominated him Archbishop of Lima; he was ordained priest in 1578 and consecrated bishop in 1580. He governed the vast See of Lima for some 26 years.
He travelled tirelessly through the Andes to evangelize the indigenous peoples, learned their languages, defended converts against colonial abuse, and applied the reforms of Trent in the New World. Among those he confirmed were St Rose of Lima and St Martin de Porres; he was canonized in 1726.
Notable Actions
- Nominated Archbishop of Lima while still a layman; ordained and consecrated for the post
- Made grueling visitations across the Andes, learning native languages and defending the indigenous
- Convened the Third Council of Lima (1582-83), applying Tridentine reform across South America
- Founded the first seminary in the Americas at Lima (1591)
- Confirmed St Rose of Lima and St Martin de Porres; canonized in 1726; patron of Latin American bishops
Christ said, 'I am the truth'; he did not say, 'I am the custom.'
Attributed to St TuribiusPortrait: MNBAArgentina / Wikimedia Commons