Pedro Tamaron Y Romeral

Background

He was born circa 1695, and was a native of La Guardia in the archbishopric of Toledo, Spain.

Education

He studied at the University of Santa Rosa, Caracas, and there he received the doctor's degree.

Career

He was the domestic chaplain of Bishop Juan Joseph de Escalona y Calatayud of Car cas, Venezuela, with whom he came to America when very young.

After receiving his doctor's degree in Caracas he served as professor of canonical law. He obtained the curacy of the cathedral there and the ranks of teacher of divinity (maestrescuela) and precentor.

In 1758 the king nominated him as bishop of Durango, and in the same year he took charge of the bishopric. Between 1759 and 1763 he personally visited the most remote provinces of his diocese, even proceeding to the north as far as the last pueblo of New Mexico before he returned to his capital, Durango. In New Mexico in 1760 Tamaron "had occasion at many points to administer severe reproof; and the friars, while making various excuses for their remissness, denying some of its worst results, and even promising reforms, did not claim the ability to communicate with their neophytes, except through interpreters. Charges of neglect in other matters, of oppressing the natives, of being frequently absent from their posts, and of undue fondness for trade are not supported by any evidence of this period . ". The bishop offered to print confesionarios in native languages, if the friars would write them. Some promises were secured and some correspondence was carried on concerning the matter, but nothing was effected down to 1763.

The diary which Tamaron kept of his episcopal tour is his most notable writing. It is entitled "Descripcion del Obispado de Durango; ó Diario de la Santa Visita de toda aquella Diócesis, dedicado al Rey Ntro. Sr. D. Carlos III. " A copy of the diary was sent to the king and the original was deposited in the ecclesiastical archives at Durango, where it was as late as 1883. The diary is a most detailed description of the bishopric, having been written with such thoroughness that there is no pueblo, hacienda, or ranch which is not described; in addition, distances and directions are recorded.

Tamaron governed with ability and zeal until December 21, 1768, when he died at the pueblo of Bamoa, Sinaloa.

Achievements

• Tamarón wrote a number of books, the most valuable being his description of his diocese, which he dedicated to the King of Spain, Charles III.

References

• Libro registro de la segunda visita de Pedro Tamaron y Romeral, obispo de Durango (Spanish Edition)