de la Torre Family, 1874-1994

The Cristero Movement (1926-1929) was a revolt by Catholics against the Mexican government that occurred in response to anti-Catholic legislation. This legislation began with the 1917 Constitution of Mexico but it was not until the presidency of Plutarco Calles (1924-1928) that these laws were enforced. President Calles added his own strict legislation severely restricting the clergy and Church in Mexico. The Cristero Movement originated in southern Mexico and moved north. The Movement lasted a decade and claimed over 100,000 lives. The Cristeros eventually achieved religious freedom in practice. Anti-clerical provisions remain a part of the Constitution but are unenforced. The de la Torre family, who had close ties to the Catholic Church and clergy, was instrumental in bringing the Cristero Movement to northern Mexico. The family, originally from Zacatecas and Guanajuato, moved to Aguascalientes and then in 1922 to San Luis Potosi. The family moved again to Tampico for economic reasons and finally to Nogales, both Sonora and Arizona, to escape persecution from authorities because of their involvement in the Church and Movement.

Ignacio de la Torre Berumen (b. 1878) and Maria de la Torre Uribarren (Velasco) (b. 1878) were the parents of eight children, many of whom were important figures within the Movement, both as priests and secular members. Maria (b. 1901) was a central support figure for the family and served as a point of communication and information. Maria's boyfriend, Fidel Muro, who was also involved in the Movement, was captured and executed in 1928. Ignacio (b. 1901) was a priest who became the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Hermosillo. He was active in education and founded several religious organizations. He was murdered in 1979 in Imuris, Sonora under mysterious circumstances. Both Francisco (b. 1905) and Carlos (b. 1914) became respected Jesuit priests. These three brothers were instrumental in reopening churches the government closed in Nogales. Alfonso (b. 1908), a Cristero soldier, was killed during fighting near Aguascalientes in 1935. Luis (b. 1910) was also involved in the Cristero Movement and later married. Neither Edmundo (b.1912) nor Benjamin (b.1918) were heavily involved in the Movement but focused instead on family and business.

The de la Torre family was acquainted with prominent figures of the Cristero Movement such as the priest Juan Navarrete. Several members of the family belonged to the Cristero organizations Asociacion Catolica de la Juventud Mexicana (ACJM) and the Liga Nacional Defensora de la Libertad (LNDL). Both Maria and Ignacio sometimes used pseudonyms in their correspondence and publications. Maria used the pseudonym Margarita Sofia and Ignacio used the pseudonyms Jose, Ysidro, Ismael Gomez, and Ismael Tizcareno.