Pedro de Zárate
Argentine priest (1622–1683)
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Pedro Ortiz de Zárate Garnica (1622 – October 27, 1683) was a Spanish catholic priest. He was the uncle of Juan de Garay, one of the first people to found the city of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Pedro belonged to a family of conquerors who held possessions of encomiendas. In 1683, he, along with others, were murdered by indigenous tribes due to their supposed hatred of faith.
1622
Pedro de Zárate | |
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A painting of Zárate getting murdered | |
| Born | Pedro Ortiz de Zárate Garnica 1622 |
| Died | October 27, 1683 (aged 60–61) |
Cause of death | Stab wounds |
Burial place | Calle Caseros y Miter in Salta |
| Occupation | Priest |
| Spouse | Petronila de Murguía |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Juan de Garay (nephew) |
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Biography
Zárate was born in San Salvador de Jujuy, in what is now northwestern Argentina, in 1622. His family owned several ecomiendas in the region.[1] He later rose to the rank of royal lieutenant in his hometown, helped by his family's political connections. In 1644, at age 17, he married Petronila de Ibarra y Murguía, and they had two children.[2] Nine years after their marriage, his wife died when a building collapsed on her, killing her instantly.[3] Afterward, Zárate lived as a widower for many years. In 1675, he decided to leave his civilian life and become a priest.[4][5]
Murder
In May 1683, Zárate set out on a missionary journey with two other priests and 70 companions.[6] On October 27, 1683, Zárate, along with priest Giovanni Antonio Solinas, and 18 others, were murdered by indigenous tribes due to their supposed hatred of faith.[3][7] He was buried at a Jesuit church in Calle Caseros y Miter in Salta.[8]
In 2021, Pope Francis blessed many martyrs including Zárate, Pope John Paul I and others.[6][9]