Hugo Zepeda Coll
Chilean lawyer, theologian and politician (born 1936)
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Hugo Zepeda Coll (born 2 June 1936) is a Chilean lawyer, theologian, former priest, university professor and politician. He served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile from 1961 to 1969, representing the Liberal Party. He has also been a frequent presence on Chilean television.
National Party (Chile, 1966) (1966–1973)
Hugo Zepeda Coll | |
|---|---|
Hugo Zepeda Coll in 1987 | |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile | |
| In office 15 May 1961 – 15 May 1969 | |
| Succeeded by | Fernando Vargas Peralta |
| Constituency | 4th Departmental Group |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 June 1936 |
| Party | Liberal Party (Chile, 1849–1966) (until 1966) National Party (Chile, 1966) (1966–1973) |
| Children | One |
| Parent(s) | Hugo Zepeda Barrios Ana Coll Juliá |
| Alma mater | University of Chile Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician and theologian |
Biography
Early life and education
Zepeda was born in Santiago, the son of Hugo Zepeda Barrios and Ana Coll Juliá. He showed an early interest both in politics, following the path of his father and grandfather Gonzalo Zepeda Perry, and in religious and theological studies.[1]
He studied at Escuela No. 1 of Coquimbo, the Liceo de Hombres of La Serena, and the Internado Nacional Barros Arana. He later attended the University of Chile, graduating in law in 1959. Zepeda also worked as a teacher of history and geography in Coquimbo, and of social legislation in La Serena.
Academic career
Zepeda has taught philosophy of law, economic and financial ethics, and epistemology at several Chilean universities, including University Finis Terrae, Universidad Andrés Bello, Universidad Mayor, Universidad San Sebastián, Universidad Central, and Universidad Santo Tomás. He is also director of the Fundación Presidente Balmaceda.[2]
Political career
Zepeda began his political activity in the Liberal Party, where he held positions in the youth wing: National Councillor for Coquimbo Province (1955), vice president (1958–1959), and president of the University Liberal Group (1956–1967). He also directed the Federation of Students of Chile (FECH).[2]
In the 1961 Chilean parliamentary election, he was elected deputy for the 4th Departmental Group (La Serena, Coquimbo, Elqui, Ovalle, Combarbalá and Illapel). He served on the Permanent Commission on Public Education and as substitute on the Finance Commission, as well as on special investigative commissions on the wine industry and constitutional accusations.[2]
Re-elected in 1965, he joined the Permanent Commission on Mining and served on special commissions investigating the "Camelot Project" (1965), the El Salvador mine events (1965–1966), and private petitions (1967). He was also a substitute member of the Independent Parliamentary Committee (CPI).[2]
Among his legislative initiatives were Law No. 15,073 (1962), which promoted social housing, and Law No. 16,332 (1965), concerning customs franchises for porcelain imports.[2]
In the 2001 Chilean parliamentary election, he ran unsuccessfully for deputy representing the Alianza por Chile coalition in District No. 8 (Coquimbo, Ovalle, Río Hurtado). He received 10,385 votes (10.82%).[2]
Religious life
After leaving Parliament in 1969, Zepeda entered the Dominican Order in 1970,[3][4] studying theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. He was ordained as a Dominican priest on 15 August 1974, later pursuing theological work in Buenos Aires.[2]
He eventually left the priesthood and has since remained active as a lay theologian and academic.
Media presence
Zepeda became widely known as “El Profe Zepeda” for his regular appearances on Chilean television. He was a guest on Buenos días a todos (TVN), Sin Dios ni late (Zona Latina), and La Hermandad (Chilevisión, 2017).
In 2015, together with journalist Juan Guillermo Prado, he published Cosas de la política: anecdotario político chileno, a collection of anecdotes from Chilean political history.
Electoral history
2001 parliamentary elections
- Candidate for Deputy, District 8 (Coquimbo, Ovalle, Río Hurtado) – Alianza por Chile coalition. Votes: 10,385 (10.82%). Not elected.[5]