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The Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores
Shrine was built to honor the Spanish cleric Padre Diego Luis de
San Vitores who arrived on the island of Guam leading a group of
Jesuit missionaries in 1668. On his arrival on
Guam Padre Diego
Luis de San Vitores established schools and churches on the
island. On April 2, 1672, Padre San Vitores was killed by two
Chamorro chiefs, Chief Mata'pang and Hurao when he baptized the
chief's daughter at the request of the mother, but without the
consent of Chief Mata'pang. The death of Padre Diego Luis de San
Vitores lead to an |
all-out war between
the native Chamorro's and the Spanish settlers. The war resulted
in the almost extinction of the Chamorro people, but the Christian
church continued to have a great influence in the Chamorro people
and culture of the island. Today, the main road running through
Tumon bears the name of the Spanish cleric, and a shrine and
statue of Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores baptizing Chief
Mata'pang's daughter with the mother, and a sword wielding chief
standing over them is located where the slaying took place toward
the northern end of Tumon Bay between the Guam Reef Hotel and
Sails restaurant. |
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