Gerónimo Castillón y Salas
Encyclopedia
Gerónimo Castillón y Salas (1756–1835) was a Spanish
bishop
who was the last Grand Inquisitor
of Spain.
on September 30, 1756, the second son of José Castillón y Campo and his wife Brígida Salas. He was educated at the University of Huesca, receiving a law degree on May 15, 1776 and a degree in theology on September 9, 1779.
After he was ordained
as a priest
, he served in Monzón
, before becoming priest in his home town of Ponzano in 1795. He was schoolmaster at Huesca Cathedral
from 1808 to 1815.
He became Bishop of Tarazona in 1815. He became Grand Inquisitor
of Spain in 1818, and in this capacity was the head of the Spanish Inquisition
until its abolition in 1820.
He died in Tarazona
in 1835.
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
who was the last Grand Inquisitor
Grand Inquisitor
Grand Inquisitor is the lead official of an Inquisition. The most famous Inquisitor General is the Spanish Dominican Tomás de Torquemada, who spearheaded the Spanish Inquisition.-List of Spanish Grand Inquisitors:-Castile:-Aragon:...
of Spain.
Biography
Gerónimo Castillón y Salas was born in Lascellas-PonzanoLascellas-Ponzano
Lascellas-Ponzano is a municipality located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. According to the 2005 census , the municipality has a population of 166 inhabitants....
on September 30, 1756, the second son of José Castillón y Campo and his wife Brígida Salas. He was educated at the University of Huesca, receiving a law degree on May 15, 1776 and a degree in theology on September 9, 1779.
After he was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
as a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
, he served in Monzón
Monzón
Monzón is a small town in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It has a population of 17,050. It is located in the northeast and adjoins the rivers Cinca and Sosa.-Historical overview:...
, before becoming priest in his home town of Ponzano in 1795. He was schoolmaster at Huesca Cathedral
Huesca Cathedral
The Holy Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary Huesca, is a church in Huesca, north-eastern Spain. It is the seat of the Bishop of Huesca...
from 1808 to 1815.
He became Bishop of Tarazona in 1815. He became Grand Inquisitor
Grand Inquisitor
Grand Inquisitor is the lead official of an Inquisition. The most famous Inquisitor General is the Spanish Dominican Tomás de Torquemada, who spearheaded the Spanish Inquisition.-List of Spanish Grand Inquisitors:-Castile:-Aragon:...
of Spain in 1818, and in this capacity was the head of the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
until its abolition in 1820.
He died in Tarazona
Tarazona
Tarazona is a municipality in the Spanish province of Zaragoza, in the autonomous community of Aragon. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarazona and the capital of the Tarazona y el Moncayo Aragonese comarca.- History :...
in 1835.