Roque Gonzales (missionary)

Roque Gonzales was born in Asunción Paraguay on the 17 November 1576 was baptized as Roque Gonzales de Santa Cruz. He was the son of Don Bartolomé González de Villaverde and Dona Maria de Santa Cruz. His father was a Spaniard and his mother Paraguayan. Roque Gonzales spoke Guarany fluently since an early age. Eventually he became Jesuit and became the first non-native or European person to enter the region known today as the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

His arrival in the area only happened after his developing delicate relationships of trust with local indigenous leaders, some of who feared that the priests were preparing the way for the arrival of masses of Europeans in their land. Roque Gonzales arrived in the area on the May 3 1626.

After establishing the first Mission Reduction of Saint Nicolas or (São Nicolau, in Portuguese) and other missionary centers in the region, Roque Gonzales was struck down by Chief Nheçu. Roque Gonzales was assassinated on the 15 November 1628.

External Links

• 'Os Olhos do Pe. Roque' or 'Father Roque's Eyes' (Text in Portuguese only)