Most Reverend Tomás de Berlanga | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Panama | |
 Statue of Fray Tomás in Berlanga de Duero | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Diocese of Panama |
| Predecessor | Vicente de Valverde |
| Successor | Pablo de Torres |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 1534 by Francisco Mendoza de Bobadilla |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1487 |
| Died | 8 August 1551 (age 64) |
| Nationality | Spanish |
FrayTomás de Berlanga,O.P., (1487 – 8 August 1551) was the fourthBishop of Panamá.[1][2]
Tomás de Berlanga was born inBerlanga de Duero inSoria,Spain.[3] On February 11, 1534,Pope Clement VII appointed him Bishop of Panama. On May 17, 1534, he was consecrated bishop byFrancisco Mendoza de Bobadilla,Bishop of Coria.[3]Francisco Mendoza,Bishop of Palencia, was co-consecrator, with FatherFrancisco de Navarra y Hualde assisting.[3]
In 1535, he sailed toPeru to settle a dispute betweenFrancisco Pizarro andDiego de Almagro over division of territory after the conquest of theInca Empire.[4]: 388 His ship stalled when thewinds died and strong currents carried him out to theGalápagos Islands which he thus discovered on March 10, 1535. He sent an account of the adventure and discovery toCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain. Berlanga resigned his see in 1537.[3]
When Tomás de Berlanga returned to the Berlanga de Duero from America, he brought with him acayman from theChagres River in Panama. This cayman measured 3 meters. It is currently on display in the Colegiata de Nuestra Señora del Mercado in Berlanga de Duero.[5]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Bishop of Panamá 1534–1537 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
