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by Mildred Boyd
When
the first Bishop arrived in Michoacan he found his new diocese in chaos—the
people demoralized, their rulers dead, their fields and shops destroyed
and their trade disrupted. Nuno de Guzman, self styled King of the Tarascans,
had indulged in a rampage of torturing and killing before fleeing to spread
his particular brand of devastation further in Jalisco.
Don Vasco de Quiroga faced the formidable
task of trying to pacify, to say nothing of convert, a sullen populace
utterly disenchanted with anything Spanish. He began by feeding the hungry,
founding schools and hospitals and, more important, shoring up the shattered
economy. It is said that he defied his king and risked a death penalty
by importing young olive trees from Spain to provide a new industry. He
also supported reestablishment of old crafts and brought European artisans
to teach new and improved ones. To avoid competition for the same limited
markets, he encouraged each village to specialize in one particular craft
or product. Weavers and stone carvers, potters and metal workers—all
the skilled craftsmen answered his call.
The love and reverence in which the
people hold Don Vasco’ memory and the stunning variety of crafts
they still produce are ample evidence of his success.