Justo Donoso
Justo Donoso Vivanco (10 July 1800 – 22 February 1868) was a Chilean Roman Catholic bishop, canon lawyer, theologian and politician.
He served as bishop of Ancud and La Serena, as Minister of Justice, Worship and Public Instruction under President José Joaquín Pérez, and as a substitute member of the Senate of Chile. He was also the author of several influential works on canon law and theology.
Education
Donoso was born in Santiago on 10 July 1800, the son of Juan de Dios Donoso and Gertrudis Vivanco. In 1816, he entered the Dominican Recoleta in Santiago as a novice and continued his studies at the convent, where he later became a teacher.
He was ordained a priest by Bishop José Santiago Rodríguez Zorrilla on 3 November 1822. In October 1824, Apostolic Vicar Giovanni Muzi granted him a rescript of perpetual secularization. That year, Donoso obtained the parish of Talpén through competitive examination but soon resigned the position.
During 1827 and 1828, he conducted missions and spiritual exercises throughout the provinces of Aconcagua and Coquimbo. He later served at Sotaquí alongside his brother Francisco and, in 1829, obtained the parish of Talca, where he became particularly active in rural missionary work.
In 1840, Donoso returned to Santiago to teach theology at the Conciliar Seminary, becoming its rector in 1843. That same year, he qualified as a lawyer and was appointed a member of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Chile. He also founded the Catholic periodical La Revista Católica.
Ecclesiastical career
In 1844, the Chilean government presented Donoso to the Holy See as bishop of the newly created Diocese of Ancud. He took possession of the diocese in 1845, received papal appointment in 1848 and was consecrated bishop in Santiago in 1849.
As bishop, Donoso organized the new diocese, undertook a pastoral visitation, established its seminary and cathedral and convened a diocesan synod. He also established parishes at Chacao, Dalcahue, Lemuy and La Unión.
In 1852, he was presented to the Holy See for transfer to the Diocese of La Serena. He initially governed it as apostolic administrator and was formally appointed bishop in 1853. During his episcopate, he established new parishes at Caldera, Juan Godoy or San Antonio, and Coquimbo, and oversaw much of the construction of the diocesan seminary.
Donoso also encouraged the establishment in his diocese of several female religious congregations, including the Sacred Hearts, the Good Shepherd and the Sisters of Charity. His will provided funds for an orphanage and an ecclesiastical hospice.
A prolific scholar of theology and canon law, Donoso published several works on ecclesiastical law. His best-known work, Instituciones de Derecho Canónico Americano, was first published in Valparaíso in 1848–1849 and subsequently appeared in several Chilean and European editions.
Political career
Donoso was elected deputy for Quinchao for the 1852–1855 legislative term, although the parliamentary record indicates that he apparently did not formally take his seat in the Chamber. His election coincided with his transfer from Ancud to the Diocese of La Serena.
In 1861, he was elected to the Senate of Chile for a three-year term as substitute for former president Francisco Antonio Pinto, who had died before completing his senatorial mandate. Donoso served on the Permanent Commission on Ecclesiastical Affairs.
Under President José Joaquín Pérez, Donoso was appointed Minister of Justice, Worship and Public Instruction on 18 September 1861 while continuing to serve as bishop of La Serena. He remained in the cabinet until January 1862.
Donoso died in La Serena on 22 February 1868, aged 67.