Luis Ignatius Peñalver y Cárdenas
Encyclopedia
Luis Ignatius Peñalver y Cardenas (born at Havana
, 3 April 1749; died there, 17 July 1810) was a Cuban Catholic Bishop of New Orleans, and Archbishop of Guatemala.
When Pope Pius VI
, at the request of Charles IV of Spain
, created Louisiana
and the Floridas a diocese, distinct from the diocese of Santiago de Cuba, Luis Penalver was made its first bishop. He made his entrance into New Orleans on 17 July, 1795, took formal possession of his see, and in the following December published an "Instrucción para el govierno de los párrocos de la diócesis de la Luisiana". He soon began the visitation of his diocese, which then extended over the country known later as the Louisiana Purchase Territory.
On 21 April, 1796, he was at Iberville
, on 8 November of the same year at Natchitoches
, and at Pensacola
on 7 May, 1798. Upon his return in 1799, he drew up a report in which he complained of the ignorance, irreligion, and the want of discipline which then prevailed in Louisiana.
Bishop Peñalver was promoted to the Archiepiscopal See of Guatemala on 20 July, 1801, and by a Rescript from Rome was empowered to transfer his authority in Louisiana and the Floridas to Canon Thomas Hasset, his vicar-general, and to Rev. Patrick Walsh
. After a chase by an English war-vessel, Archbishop Peñalver arrived at Guatemala
.
At his own expense he built a hospital and various schools. He resigned his see on 1 March, 1806, and, returning to Havana, devoted the last years of his life to charitable works. At his death he bequeathed $200,000 to the poor and several important legacies to educational institutions.
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, 3 April 1749; died there, 17 July 1810) was a Cuban Catholic Bishop of New Orleans, and Archbishop of Guatemala.
Life
He was the son of a wealthy and noble family. After studying belles-lettres and philosophy in St. Ignatius College, Havana, he followed there the courses of the University of St. Jerome and in 1771 obtained the degree of Doctor of Theology. His bishop entrusted to him several missions of an administrative nature, and in 1773 appointed him provisor and vicar-general.When Pope Pius VI
Pope Pius VI
Pope Pius VI , born Count Giovanni Angelo Braschi, was Pope from 1775 to 1799.-Early years:Braschi was born in Cesena...
, at the request of Charles IV of Spain
Charles IV of Spain
Charles IV was King of Spain from 14 December 1788 until his abdication on 19 March 1808.-Early life:...
, created Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and the Floridas a diocese, distinct from the diocese of Santiago de Cuba, Luis Penalver was made its first bishop. He made his entrance into New Orleans on 17 July, 1795, took formal possession of his see, and in the following December published an "Instrucción para el govierno de los párrocos de la diócesis de la Luisiana". He soon began the visitation of his diocese, which then extended over the country known later as the Louisiana Purchase Territory.
On 21 April, 1796, he was at Iberville
Iberville Parish, Louisiana
Iberville Parish is a parish located south of Baton Rouge in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Plaquemine. The 2010 population of the parish was 33,387....
, on 8 November of the same year at Natchitoches
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
, and at Pensacola
Pensacola
Pensacola is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Florida.Pensacola may also refer to:* Pensacola people, a group of Native Americans* A number of places in the Florida:** Pensacola Bay** Pensacola Regional Airport...
on 7 May, 1798. Upon his return in 1799, he drew up a report in which he complained of the ignorance, irreligion, and the want of discipline which then prevailed in Louisiana.
Bishop Peñalver was promoted to the Archiepiscopal See of Guatemala on 20 July, 1801, and by a Rescript from Rome was empowered to transfer his authority in Louisiana and the Floridas to Canon Thomas Hasset, his vicar-general, and to Rev. Patrick Walsh
Patrick Walsh
Patrick Walsh was an American politician and journalist.Walsh was born in Ballingarry, County Limerick, Ireland. With his parents he emigrated in 1852 to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was apprenticed to a printer...
. After a chase by an English war-vessel, Archbishop Peñalver arrived at Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
.
At his own expense he built a hospital and various schools. He resigned his see on 1 March, 1806, and, returning to Havana, devoted the last years of his life to charitable works. At his death he bequeathed $200,000 to the poor and several important legacies to educational institutions.