Moncada, Louis-antoine De Belluga De

Moncada, Louis-Antoine De Belluga De a Spanish prelate, was born at Motril, in the kingdom of Granada November 30, 1662. He entered the Church, where his distinguished birth placed many ecclesiastical honors within his power, but. with pious modesty, he refused them all Philip V appointed him bishop of Carthagena and Murcia in 1705. Soon after the archduke, who disputed the crown with Philip, invaded Spain. Moncada remained faithful to his sovereign, and so strongly evinced his devotion that Philip rewarded him, with the titles of viceroy of Valencia and captain-general of Murcia in 1706. But, notwithstanding these royal favors, his zeal did not degenerate into servility, and he resisted the court when he thought the interests of the Church were compromised. Thus he obstinately opposed a duty placed on the property of the clergy. At the height of his quarrel with the king's party, he was included in a promotion of cardinals; but, believing in faithful submission to the administration of his country, though a prelate, he declared that he would not accept the purple without the king's consent.

This permission had only been delayed to test the bishop's constancy, and, according to Saint-Simon, "the affair ended with unequalled glory for Belluga." "Subsequently," adds Saint-Simon, "Belluga, who had more zeal than discretion, wished to institute some reforms, which the bishops of Spain could not permit. They opposed his plans with great success, and Belluga, not being able to procure for his country the advantages he proposed, became greatly disgusted, and entreated the king to release him from the bishopric of Murcia, and permit him to retire to Rome." He was there; as in Murcia, a very faithful subject to his king, and still preserved an anxious interest in all his affairs. His virtue, which lifted him above all politics, acquired for him a veneration and consideration during the whole course of his long life. He died at Rome, February 22, 1743. See Moreri, Grand Dict. Histor. s.v.; Saint-Simon, leanoires, 11:197-199 (edit. Cheruel).