Felipe Beltrán Serrano
Felipe Beltrán Serrano (1704–1783) was a Spanish churchman who was Bishop of Salamanca from 1763 to 1783 and Grand Inquisitor of Spain from 1775 to 1783.
Biography
[edit]Felipe Beltrán Serrano was born in La Serra d'en Galceran on 20 October 1704, the son of poor parents.[1] Through the patronage of Ginés Rabaza Perellós, Marquis of Dos Aquas, he enrolled at the University of Valencia in 1721.[2] In 1724, he began the study of Christian theology at the University of Valencia, receiving a master's degree after three years.[2] He taught Thomistic philosophy from 1728 to 1735.[2] In 1735, he became professor of Thomistic philosophy, holding that chair until it was abolished in 1738.[2]
In 1739, again through the patronage of Ginés Rabaza Perellós, Marquis of Dos Aquas, he was appointed parish priest of Bétera.[2] He became parish priest of Massamagrell in 1752.[2] In 1759, he became a canon of Valencia Cathedral.[2]
He was appointed Bishop of Salamanca on 18 July 1763 and he was consecrated as a bishop on 25 September 1763.[3] He was a supporter of the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain in 1767.[2]
He was appointed Grand Inquisitor of Spain on 24 December 1774.[3] As Grand Inquisitor, he continued the suppression of Jansenism in Spain.[2] He oversaw the heresy trial of Pablo de Olavide in 1775.[2] He acted as patron of Pedro Estala.[2] José Francisco de Isla wrote satire directed at Beltrán.[2] Beltrán received the Order of Charles III in 1780.[2]
He died in Madrid on 1 December 1783.[3]