Bartolomé changes his ways (0 St. 5 Min, 1 Jan 1514 Jahr – 10 St. 53 Min, 2 Jan 1514 Jahr)

Beschreibung:

During the first couple of years in the Indies, Bartolomé met some of the most celebrated leaders of the conquest, including Hernán Cortés and Pedro de Alvarado. He also took the time to learn several native languages. As a Champlain, he accompanied Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar and Pánfilo de Narváez on the conquest of Cuba. In reward for his service, Bartolomé received native slaves and land. By all appearances, he had settled in to become a typical encomendero (an enforcer of the encomienda system).
In 1514 however, Bartolomé surprised his parishioners by preaching a Pentecost Sunday sermon severely condemning Spanish treatment of native people. He soon freed his own native slaves and began vigorously interceding with local authorities on the Arawaks behalf. Bartolomés conversion from an arrogant encomerdio into a kind and sympathetic preacher occurred over the course of the year as he became increasingly disheartened with the entire structure of Spanish/Indigenous relations.