Confronted with such a degree of submission and oppression of the Indians, the Dominican community dedicated countless hours in meetings to study the problem in depth, until they decided to make a public denouncement of the atrocities.
In spite of the fact, the sermon was not preserved, but only an extract which, later on, Friar Bartolome de Las Casas would incorporate in his work on the History of the Indies, where one can read: “Sunday arrived and at the time for preaching, Fr Antonio de Montesinos got up in the pulpit and took as the theme for the sermon, which was written and signed by all the other brothers, “Ego sum vox clamantis in deserto”.
[1] In 1513, Friar Pedro de Córdoba persuaded King Ferdinand II to allow the Dominicans of Hispaniola to go to the mainland to peacefully convert the natives there.
[3] Friar Antonio Montesinos lead the mission with Francisco de Córdoba and a lay brother, Juan Garcés.
[4] Fray Pedro founded the Santa Cruz province of the order and enjoyed the reputation of a model priest, highly respected by the clergy, the laity, and the Indians.