EYZAGUIRRE, JOSÉ ALEJO

Chilean clerical and political leader; b. Santiago, July 13, 1783; d. there, Aug. 4, 1850. He graduated from the University of San Felipe with a degree in Canon Law and pursued ecclesiastical studies in Lima until his ordination in 1807. When he returned to Chile, he served for three years at the cathedral of Santiago as vicar-general of the bishopric and as canon. Vicar Apostolic muzi, sent by the Holy See in 1824 to solve various Church problems in Chile, wished to consecrate Eyzaguirre auxiliary bishop of Santiago, but the government, knowing him to be a supporter of the diocesan bishop whom it had just exiled, withheld consent. In 1823 Eyzaguirre was delegate to the constitutional congress, and during the two following years he was president of the congress. He became dean of the ecclesiastical council in 1840. When the Archbishopric of Santiago became vacant in 1843, he was chosen capitular vicar and, in spite of resistance, proposed to the Holy See as archbishop. His refusal to accept government intervention in matters of ecclesiastical authority led him in 1845 to relinquish the government of the archdiocese, which he had administered as archbishop-elect. At the time of his death, he was dean of the cathedral, and also councilor of state, a position he had held since 1844. This priest of great piety and apostolic spirit, who lived a humble and ascetic life, was a bulwark against the abusive meddling of the civil power in ecclesiastical affairs.

Bibliography: l. f. prieto del rÍo, Diccionario biográfico del clero secular de Chile (Santiago de Chile 1922).

[j. eyzaguirre]