Salvatore di Pietro
The Most Reverend Salvatore di Pietro | |
|---|---|
Palermo, Italy | |
| Died | 23 August 1898 (aged 68) Belize |
Salvatore di Pietro, (15 June 1830 – 23 August 1898) was an Italian
Vicar Apostolic of Belize
from 1893-1898. He is widely regarded as the most important figure in consolidating the Catholic presence in Belize in the second half of the 19th century.
Missionary to Central America
Salvatore di Pietro was born in
Spanish Honduras to found a college in the capital Comayagua. He began by preaching missions in Omoa and San Pedro Sula. However, the Liberals took control of Spanish Honduras also and he returned to Belize.[3]
Mission superior
In 1851 Jesuits had been placed in charge of the
Catholic mission in Belize, with George Avvaro serving as first Superior in 1853. In September 1872 di Pietro was appointed to replace the aging Avvaro.[4] But in October 1874 di Pietro needed relief and John Pittar was made Superior. Di Pietro became pastor in Corozal in the north of Belize until June 1876 when, weak from sickness, he was sent to Panama to recover his strength. He served as secretary to the Bishop of Panama. By October 1878 Pittar was having serious health problems and di Pietro returned to be Superior, remaining so until his death in 1898. The Superior resided at Holy Redeemer parish in Belize Town. From his close association with Henry Fowler, the first Catholic colonial administrator (1877-1886), keeper of the government records and producer of the Honduras Almanack, di Pietro wrote accounts to acquaint his Superiors in England with Belize and to attract assistance of funds and manpower.[5][6]
Under di Pietro's watch, Cassian Gillett founded at Holy Redeemer[: 173
Prefect Apostolic, Vicar, and first Bishop for Belize
Prefect Apostolic on 10 June 1888. Then on 14 January 1893 the Roman authorities appointed di Pietro titular Bishop of Eurea and Vicar-Apostolic of British Honduras. The consecration took place in Belize on 16 April 1893 with Bishop Thomas A. Becker of Savannah, Georgia, as consecrator, assisted by Bishop Jeremiah O'Sullivan of Mobile, Alabama, and Bishop Thomas Heslin of Natchez, Mississippi.[4]
In the following year responsibility for the Belize mission was transferred from the English Province to the
S.J.[6]
References
- ^ "Bishop Salvatore di Pietro [Catholic-Hierarchy]". Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ^ Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan, 2015).
- ^ "Honduras, 26. März 1870 : Verbleib von José María Medina als Präsident".
- ^ a b Hopkins, Frederick C. (October 1918). "The Catholic Church in British Honduras, 1851-1918". The Catholic Historical Review. 4 (3). Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America: 305f. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ^ di Pietro, Salvatore (1 March 1883). "Letter on the history of the Mission 1850-1883," Letters & Notices: British Honduras, (London: English Province of the Society of Jesus, Vol. 16, pp. 217-227.
- ^ a b Spitz, Dom Maternus (12 August 1905). "The Catholic Missions in British Honduras". The Tablet: 7. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ^ 14 January 1883. The New Orleans Morning Star.
- S2CID 161839095.