Diego Morcillo Rubio de Auñón

Who was Diego Morcillo Rubio de Auñón?

Fray Diego Morcillo Rubio de Auñón, O.SS.T. was a Spanish bishop in Peru and twice viceroy of the colony, from August 15, 1716 to October 5, 1716 and from January 26, 1720 to May 14, 1724.

At a young age he entered the Calced branch of the Trinitarian Order in Toledo. He studied theology at the University of Alcalá. In Alcalá King Charles II named him preacher of the royal chamber. He also became examiner for the Supreme Council of the Inquisition.

On November 21, 1701 he was named bishop of León, Nicaragua, and on May 14, 1708 bishop of La Paz, Bolivia. Continuing his ecclesiastical advancement, he was appointed archbishop of La Plata, Alto Perú on March 21, 1714, and finally archbishop of Lima on May 12, 1723.

In 1716, while he was archbishop of Charcas, King Philip V named him interim viceroy of Peru. On August 15 he entered Lima and replaced Mateo de la Mata Ponce de León, president of the Audiencia. Mata had also been serving on an interim basis, since the removal of Viceroy Diego Ladrón de Guevara on March 2, 1716.