MENESES, ALBJO. – Augustinian missionary and bishop, born in Lisbon on 25 January 1559, died in Madrid on 2 May 1617. He entered religious life in 1574 and, after completing his studies, became superior in various convents of his Order. Philip II offered him the rectorship of the University of Coimbra, but M. declined II. On 13 February 1595 he was appointed archbishop of Goa and primate of the East Indies.
He immediately set out for his mission, and Clement VIII entrusted him with the visitation of Cranganore and granted him extraordinary powers to judge the Nestorian bishop Mâr Abraham. With indefatigable zeal he labored for the Christians known as those of St. Thomas in the region of Malabar, for the conversion of infidels and schismatics. In 1599 he convoked and, as the Pope’s legate, presided over the Synod of Diamper. He greatly advanced the missions of Ethiopia and Persia, sending Jesuits and Augustinians there, respectively. In Goa he founded monasteries, colleges, and churches. For three periods he governed India as viceroy, devoting himself especially to its defense against the Dutch. In 1610 Philip III recalled him to Europe. On 19 March of the same year, Paul V appointed him archbishop of Braga and primate of Spain. In 1614 he was appointed viceroy of Portugal. M. also exercised his apostolate through numerous writings; but most of his works, dealing especially with the history of the Augustinians and his pastoral government, remained in manuscript and were lost.