Pedro Peláez

Who was Pedro Peláez?

Pedro Peláez was a Filipino Catholic priest who favored the rights for Filipino clergy during the 19th century. He was diocesan administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila for a brief period of time. In the early 19th century, Pelaez fought for the secularization of Filipino priests.

Pelaez was born on June 29, 1812 to Jose Pelaez, alcalde mayor of Laguna and Josefa Sebastian. When both of his parents died in 1823, he was taken as a houseboy in the Dominican convent in Manila. At the same time, he was sent to study at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he finished a degree in Bachelor of Arts. He then enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas to finish academic degrees on priesthood. Pelaez studied under the famous priest Francisco Ayala.

Pelaez was ordained in 1833 and serve in the Manila Cathedral. From 1836 to 1839, he taught Philosophy at the Colegio de San Jose and taught at the University of Santo Tomas from 1843 to 1861.

Along with Father Mariano Gómez, Pelaez started organizing activities that demanded the return of control of Philippine parishes to Filipino seculars. Peláez died during an earthquake in Manila, Philippines.