Francisco de la Cuesta
Encyclopedia
Francisco de la Cuesta, O.S.H. - was the 11th Archbishop of Manila from 1707 to 1722 and a Governor-General
of the Philippines in 1719 to 1721.
on August 12, 1707. As archbishop, he tried to enforce the episcopal visitation upon the order of Pope Clement XI but was opposed by the friars. As a result, he was forced to wait for their reports to Rome.
at that time. When dela Cuesta sided and defended an official that was being persecuted by Bustamante, dela Cuesta was detained in Fort Santiago
.
On October 11, 1719, angry friars led by the Order of Friars Minor|Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians instigated a siege on the Palacio del Gobernador|Governor's Palace as a show of support for the imprisoned archbishop. In the terror and confusion of the palace guards, the now defenseless Bustamante and his son was murdered by the friars. Dela Cuesta was released afterwards.
Governor-General of the Philippines
The Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935....
of the Philippines in 1719 to 1721.
Biography
Francisco Dela Cuesta was born in Colmenar, outskirt of Madrid. He was a master of theology and a preacher to the King of Spain. He was from the Order of Saint Jerome.Archbishop of Manila
He was appointed as Archbishop of Manila on 1706 and was consecrated in MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on August 12, 1707. As archbishop, he tried to enforce the episcopal visitation upon the order of Pope Clement XI but was opposed by the friars. As a result, he was forced to wait for their reports to Rome.
Feud with Fernando Bustamante
Dela Cuesta came in conflict with Fernando Bustamante, the Governor-GeneralGovernor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
at that time. When dela Cuesta sided and defended an official that was being persecuted by Bustamante, dela Cuesta was detained in Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is a defense fortress built for Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. The fort is part of the structures of the walled city of Intramuros, in Manila, Philippines. José Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was imprisoned in the fort before his execution in 1896...
.
On October 11, 1719, angry friars led by the Order of Friars Minor|Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians instigated a siege on the Palacio del Gobernador|Governor's Palace as a show of support for the imprisoned archbishop. In the terror and confusion of the palace guards, the now defenseless Bustamante and his son was murdered by the friars. Dela Cuesta was released afterwards.
Governor-General of the Philippines
After his release, Dela Cuesta appointed himself as the acting Governor-General and served for 2 years. It was due to the refusal of other officials in Manila to be the next Governor-General that dela Cuesta was in power. Also, the see of Cebu, Archidioces of Nueva Segovia|Nueva Segovia and Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres|Caceres was vacant during dela Cuesta's short term as Governor-General due to the deaths of the archbishops of the said sees. These sees will remain vacant until the transfer of dela Cuesta to Mexico.Bishop of Michoacan
On July 25, 1721, he was removed by the King of Spain due to the death of Bustamante and was transferred in Michoacan, Mexico. He was consecrated as bishop of Michoacan on April 18, 1724. He died 1 month later on May 30, 1724 at the age of 63.Trivia
- The assassination of Bustamante was mentioned in Jose Rizal's Noli Me TangereNoli me tangereNoli me tangere, meaning "don't touch me" / "touch me not", is the Latin version of words spoken, according to , by Jesus to Mary Magdalene when she recognizes him after his resurrection....
. - A painting entitled “Assassination of Governor Bustamante” was done by Félix Resurrección HidalgoFelix Resurreccion HidalgoFélix Resurrección Hidalgo y Padilla was a Filipino artist. He is acknowledged as one of the great Filipino painters of the late 19th century, and is significant in Philippine history for having been an acquaintance and inspiration for members of the Philippine reform movement which included José...
depicting the friars murdering Bustamante by dragging him down the staircase. The painting is considered a National Treasure of the Philippines and hangs in the Hall of the Masters at the National Museum in Manila.
External links
- The Archdiocese of Manila Official Website
- Ang Mga ARSOBISPO. Accessed March 19, 2007.