Cristóbal Bencomo y Rodríguez
| Cristóbal Bencomo y Rodríguez | |
|---|---|
| Titular Archbishop | |
Portrait of Cristóbal Bencomo y Rodríguez in La Laguna Cathedral (Tenerife)
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| See | Titular Archbishop of Heraclea |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
30 August 1758 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain |
| Died | 15 April 1835 Sevilla, Spain |
| Nationality | Spain |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Profession | Confessor of King Ferdinand VII of Spain |
Cristóbal Bencomo y Rodríguez (San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain, 30 August 1758 – 15 April 1835, Sevilla, Spain) was a Spanish Catholic priest and confessor of King Ferdinand VII of Spain.
Bencomo was the driving force behind the creation of the University of La Laguna (the first of the Canary Islands) and the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, leading to the separation of the western Canary Islands in this new bishopric. Known for his many royal and ecclesiastical titles, he was one of the most important figures of the Spanish Catholic Church. Among his major positions were member of the council and chamber of Castile, Grand Inquisitor of Spain (a position he rejected), Grand Cross of the Order of Carlos III, and Titular Archbishop of Heraclea in partibus, given by Pope Pius VII.
Cristóbal Bencomo was born in San Cristóbal de La Laguna on the island of Tenerife on 30 August 1758 to Francisco Braulio Bencomo and Bárbara Rodríguez Fleitas.
He had two other brothers: Pedro José and Santiago Bencomo y Rodríguez. All three were prominent clerics who contributed substantially to the founding of the University of San Fernando (now the University of La Laguna), promoted the works of the Cathedral of La Laguna and participated in the creation of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. The three brothers were descendants of Kebehi Benchomo, last Guanche mencey (aboriginal king) of Taoro. Of the three, Cristóbal Bencomo had the decisive role in the establishment of the college and the bishopric.
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