View source for Luis José Rueda Aparicio

{{Bishop
|honorific_prefix=His Eminence
|name=Luis José Rueda Aparicio
|diocese=Archdiocese of Bogotá
|home_diocese=Diocese of Socorro y San Gil
|other_diocese1=Diocese of Montelíbano
|other_diocese2=Archdiocese of Popayán
|other_diocese3=Diocese of Soacha
|ordination=23 November 1989
|ordained_by=Bishop Jorge Leonardo Gómez Serna
|consecration=14 April 2012
|consecrated_by=Archbishop Aldo Cavalli
|rank=Cardinal
|cardinal=30 September 2023
|created_cardinal_by=Pope Francis
|birth_name=Luis José Rueda Aparicio
|birth_date=3 March 1962
|birth_place=San Gil, Santander, Colombia
|death_date=
|death_place=
|nationality=Colombia
|education=Alphonsian Academy
|motto="Permanezcan en mi amor" (Remain in My Love)
|role=Diocesan
|theology=Moderate
|region=Latin America
|rite=Roman Rite
|conclave_eligibility=Eligible
}}

'''Luis José Rueda Aparicio''', born on {{Birth date and age|1962|3|3|df=y}}, is a Colombian [[prelate]] of the [[Catholic Church]], serving as the [[Archbishop of Bogotá]] and Primate of Colombia since 2020 and elevated to [[cardinal]] by [[Pope Francis]] in 2023.<ref name="cathierarchy">{{cite web |last=Cheney |first=David M. |title=Luis José Cardinal Rueda Aparicio |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/brueap.html |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> Born in San Gil, [[Colombia]], he was ordained a [[priest]] in 1989 for the [[Diocese of Socorro y San Gil]], served as [[Bishop of Montelíbano]] from 2012 to 2018, and as [[Archbishop of Popayán]] from 2018 to 2020.<ref name="vaticanpress">{{cite web |title=Resignations and Appointments, 09.07.2023 |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/07/09/230709a.html |website=Vatican Press Office |date=9 July 2023 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> Known for his commitment to peace, social justice, and ecological conversion, Rueda has supported Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement with FARC and advocated for marginalized communities.<ref name="cwr">{{cite web |last=Mazurczak |first=Filip |title=Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio: Colombia’s Peace Advocate |url=https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/09/30/meet-the-new-cardinals-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio/ |website=Catholic World Report |date=30 September 2023 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> His leadership as president of the Colombian Episcopal Conference (2021–2024) and election to the Ordinary Council of the Synod of Bishops in 2024 highlight his global influence.<ref name="cec">{{cite web |title=Cardenal Luis José Rueda Aparicio, nuevo miembro del Consejo Ordinario del Sínodo |url=https://www.cec.org.co/noticias/cardenal-luis-jos%C3%A9-rueda-aparicio-nuevo-miembro-del-consejo-ordinario-del-s%C3%ADnodo |website=Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia |date=19 October 2024 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref>

Rueda’s tenure has emphasized fraternity, designating 2020 as Bogotá’s “Year of Fraternity” to promote solidarity, and he has been a vocal supporter of anti-narcotrafficking measures and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.<ref name="collegecardinals">{{cite web |title=Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255641/cardinal-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio |website=Catholic News Agency |date=30 September 2023 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> His eligibility for the 2025 [[papal conclave]], where he will vote as Colombia’s only elector among three cardinals, positions him as a significant voice for Latin America, though he has publicly dismissed speculation about his own papal candidacy.<ref name="eltiempoconclave">{{cite web |last=González |first=Juan |title=Cardenal Luis José Rueda, el único colombiano habilitado para elegir Papa |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/bogota/cardenal-luis-jose-rueda-el-unico-colombiano-habilitado-para-elegir-papa-863092 |website=El Tiempo |date=26 April 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> Controversies, including journalistic allegations that he failed to report clergy sexual abuse cases to civil authorities, have sparked debate, though these claims lack primary corroboration and are under review by the Colombian Episcopal Conference.<ref name="semanaabuse">{{cite web |last=Barrientos |first=María |title=Denuncias por encubrimiento de abusos sexuales contra el cardenal Luis José Rueda |url=https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/denuncias-por-encubrimiento-de-abusos-sexuales-contra-el-cardenal-luis-jose-rueda/202342/ |website=Semana |date=30 September 2023 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> Despite challenges, Rueda remains committed to fostering peace and dialogue in Colombia’s complex social landscape.<ref name="vaticannews">{{cite web |title=Colombia: Cardenal Rueda habla sobre la importancia de la fraternidad |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/es/iglesia/news/2023-09/colombia-cardenal-rueda-fraternidad.html |website=Vatican News |date=28 September 2023 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref>