Bernardo López de Mendizábal
| Bernardo López de Mendizábal | |
|---|---|
| 18th Spanish Governor of New Mexico | |
|
In office 1659–1660 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Manso de Contreras |
| Succeeded by | Diego de Peñalosa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1620 Chietla, in Puebla (present Mexico) |
| Died | September 16, 1664 Mexico city |
| Spouse(s) | Teresa de Aguilera y Roche |
| Profession | Custos, soldier, political, and administrator (Governor of New Mexico) |
| Signature |  |
Bernardo López de Mendizábal (1620–September 16, 1664) was a Spanish politician, soldier, religious scholar, and native of modern Mexico, who served as governor of New Mexico between 1659–1660 and as alcalde mayor (or royal administrator) in Guayacocotla (on the Sierra Madre Oriental, northeast of Mexico City). Among Lopez' dictates as governor of New Mexico, he prohibited the Franciscan priests to force the Native Americans to work if they were not paid a salary and he recognized their right to practice their religion. He also permitted the Pueblos Native Americans to perform their religious dances (thus endorsing religious practices that had been prohibited for 30 years). These acts caused disagreements with the Franciscan missionaries of New Mexico in their dealings with the Native Americans. He was indicted by the Inquisition on thirty-three counts of malfeasance and the practice of Judaism in 1660. He was replaced in the same year and his administration ended. He was arrested in 1663 and died a prisoner in 1664.
López de Mendizábal was born about 1620 in the town of Chietla, in Puebla (present day Mexico). His father, Cristóbal López de Mendizábal, was a Basque captain and legal representative, while his mother, Leonor Pastrana, was a granddaughter of Juan Nunez de Leon, a Jew who was prosecuted by the inquisition, having been accused of secretly practicing Judaism. His family had a hacienda in Chietla. His father was a legal representative. López also had a brother - Gregorio López de Mendizábal. López studied arts and canon law in Jesuit college at Puebla, but finished his studies at the university in Mexico City. Mendizábal also joined the Spanish Army, where he served in the Galleon de la Armada and was stationed for a period of time in the Presidio of Cartagena de Indias (in modern Colombia. López occupied many government positions in Nueva Granada, Cuba, and New Spain. López was also alcalde mayor, or royal administrator, in Guayacocotla, on the Sierra Madre Oriental, northeast of Mexico City.
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