José María Teclo Morelos Pérez y Pavón () (30 September 1765 – 22 December 1815) was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel leader who led the Mexican War of Independence movement, assuming its leadership after the execution of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1811. Morelos and Ignacio López Rayón are credited with organizing the war of independence. Under Morelos the Congress of Anáhuac was installed on 13 September 1813, and in November 6 of the same year congress declared the country's independence. On 22 October 1814, a constitution, "Decreto Constitucional para la Libertad de la América Mexicana", was drafted by the Congress which declared that Mexico would be a Republic.