Founder Biography

Friar Cristóbal de Torres y Motones was a Spanish clergyman, born in Burgos in 1573, he died in Bogotá, Colombia, on July 8th 1654.

As a Dominic priest, distinguished as an outstanding theologian and schoolmaster in Burgos and Sevilla, Friar Cristóbal acquired notorious influence and prestige.

In 1634, he was designated by King Philip IV, Archbishop of Santa Fe (Bogotá), the Episcopal home base ruled by him until his death. Once in the New World, he turns into a great reformer, so he was, for instance, the first clergyman who permitted the communion for the Indians in 1636.

Friar Cristóbal supported generously diverse charity initiatives, carried out in various places within his jurisdiction (namely the New Kingdom of Granada, which covered Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panamá and Guyana), these actions caused him confrontations with the governing President of the Royal Audience at the time.