Diego Luis de San Vitores


Diego Luis de San Vitores

Martyr
Born(1627-11-12)November 12, 1627
Burgos, Spanish Empire
DiedApril 2, 1672(1672-04-02) (aged 44)
Tumon, Guam, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
BeatifiedOctober 6, 1985, Vatican by Pope John Paul II
FeastOctober 6
Jesuit mission superior of the Mariana Islands
In office
16 June 1668  2 April 1672
MonarchCharles II
RegentMariana of Austria
ValidoJuan Everardo Nithard
Fernando de Valenzuela
Viceroy of New SpainAntonio Sebástian Álvarez de Toledo
Governor-General of the PhilippinesDiego de Salcedo
Juan Manuel de la Peña Bonifaz (as interim)
Manuel de León
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded byFrancisco Solano

Diego Luis de San Vitores, SJ (November 12, 1627 – April 2, 1672) was a Spanish Jesuit missionary who founded the first Catholic church on the island of Guam. He is responsible for establishing the Christian presence in the Mariana Islands. He is a controversial figure in some circles due to his role in the Spanish–Chamorro Wars.