Ignacio Xavier Keller

Ignacio Xavier Keller (November 11, 1702 – August 1759) was a Jesuit missionary to Mexico at Mission Santa María Suamca. His treatment of Pima leader Luis Oacpicagigua was an inciting factor in the Pima Revolt of 1751.

Biography

Early life Keller was born on November 11, 1702 in Olomouc, Moravia. He joined the Society of Jesus on October 17, 1717. In 1732, he was reassigned further north, at Mission Santa María Suamca, where he arrived on April 20.

Mission Santa María Suamca Keller remained at Santa María Suamca for the rest of his life. Historian Kevin Starr, describing the "whippings and confinement in stocks" with which the Jesuits punished the natives, characterizes Keller as "notably harsh – and therefore particularly hated." Keller himself described his experiences at the mission:

In 1736 and 1737, Keller explored along the Gila River, visiting local Pima villages on the way. He baptized fifty-two native children during his visits, naming all twenty-six girls Catalina and all twenty-six boys Ignacio.

Not long after, Oacpicagigua led the 1751 Pima Revolt. His conditions for peace included the demand that Keller be removed from his position, and he did not ultimately surrender until informed that Keller would be sent away. Once captured and interrogated, Oacpicagigua described Keller's insults as the main precipitating cause of his rebellion.

In 1756, Keller accompanied Miguel Gerstner and Francisco Hlava to the San Pedro Valley in the hope of establishing a mission church there, but the three priests were repelled by the natives.

Keller died in August 1759.