Guerra was stationed in 1652 at a mission near
Shongopovi, Arizona, where he served as resident missionary to the local
Hopi.
Investigation for abuse In 1655, a group of native leaders came to
Antonio de Ibargaray, the
custos of New Mexico, with reports of abuse by Guerra. Other native witnesses confirmed that Guerra habitually used whipping and
tarring with hot
turpentine as a punishment on the natives, "especially boys and girls guilty of immoral conduct." Most recently, Guerra had punished Juan Cuna, a Hopi from
Oraibi village, for "idolatry". Guerra had publicly beaten him until Cuna was "bathed in blood", beaten him a second time inside the church, and then tarred him with burning turpentine; Cuna had died from the treatment. He denied the additional Hopi accusation that, when using their labor for the weaving of
mantas, he provided insufficient material and beat them if they wove too slowly. On July 17, Ibargaray concluded the investigation, and ordered that Guerra appear before the superiors of the order in Mexico City for punishment.
Later career Guerra was subsequently confined for some time in the mission at
Quarai, and temporarily forbidden from saying Mass. He was then transferred to
Jemez Pueblo, and subsequently served at several missions in New Mexico, including
San Agustín de la Isleta. Another Franciscan, Benito de la Natividad, described an incident at Isleta, in which Guerra attempted to interfere in the Hopi
kachina dance: In 1661, Guerra was assigned as secretary to
Alonso de Posada. In that capacity, he was involved with the
Inquisition investigation of Governor
Bernardo López de Mendizábal. In 1664, Guerra was reassigned to the Hopi, this time at
Mission San Bernardo de Aguatubi. == References ==