Priestly Violence, Martyrdom, and Jesuits: The Case of Diego de Alfaro (Paraguay, 1639)

The case of Diego de Alfaro, a Jesuit priest who died fighting bandeirantes (slave raiders) in 1639, challenges traditional perceptions of Jesuit conduct and highlights the Society's role in frontier missions. Alfaro's actions, defended as heroic and virtuous by his peers, including provincial Diego de Boroa, are examined through Boroa's apologia to reveal the Jesuits' active involvement in regional conflicts. The study argues that Alfaro's death was not an isolated incident but a consequence of the Jesuits' presence and mission in the Paraguay-Uruguay region, which shaped violent encounters with slavers. This rare documented case offers insight into the complex dynamics of Jesuit distinctiveness, blending priestly duty with martial action.

Redden, A. (2016). Priestly Violence, Martyrdom, and Jesuits: The Case of Diego de Alfaro (Paraguay, 1639). Exploring Jesuit Distinctiveness, 81–113. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004313354_007