José Antonio Martínez de Aldunate

At an unspecified later date, he was ordained as a priest in Santiago, where he later became Provisor and General Vicar.

He was consecrated by Francisco José Marán, Bishop of Santiago, before travelling to Perú.

In Chile, the Royal Governor Francisco Antonio García Carrasco had been forced to resign due to his ineptitude and corruption, and had been replaced by Mateo de Toro y Zambrano.

After Mateo de Toro y Zambrano took over as Royal Governor, he was convinced to call an open meeting of the leading citizens of the city to decide the political future of the colony.

The discussion ended with the conformation of the First Government Junta of Chile, of which Bishop Martínez de Aldunate was voted the Vice President.