Luis José Rueda Aparicio
Stored: Luis José Rueda Aparicio
| His Eminence Luis José Rueda Aparicio | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Bogotá | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Socorro y San Gil |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Montelíbano |
| Other diocese 2: | Archdiocese of Popayán |
| Other diocese 3: | Diocese of Soacha |
| Ordination: | 23 November 1989 by Bishop Jorge Leonardo Gómez Serna |
| Consecration: | 14 April 2012 by Archbishop Aldo Cavalli |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 30 September 2023 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Luis José Rueda Aparicio 3 March 1962 San Gil, Santander, Colombia |
| Died: | |
| 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 3 March 1962, 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] Despite challenges, Rueda remains committed to fostering peace and dialogue in Colombia’s complex social landscape.[8]
Biography
Birth and early life
Luis José Rueda Aparicio was born on 3 March 1962 in San Gil, Santander, Colombia, the tenth of eleven siblings in a Catholic family led by Luis Emilio Rueda Joya and Socorro Aparicio Mejía.[9] Raised in a rural, working-class environment, he worked in construction with his father, sold newspapers for SEPAS, hosted sports programs on Emisora Armonías, and managed a laboratory at Hércules S.A. cement factory.[10] His early experiences, including carpentry and brief military service, shaped his pastoral focus on social justice.[11]
Educated at local schools in San Gil, Rueda earned a Bachillerato Técnico in metalwork from Colegio Nacional San José de Guanentá (1975–1980).[9] His family’s deep Catholic faith and weekly Mass attendance influenced his vocational discernment, leading him to enter the seminary in 1983.[10]
Education
Rueda began philosophical studies at the San Carlos Conciliar Seminary in San Gil (1983–1986) and theological studies at the Archdiocesan Seminary of Bucaramanga (1986–1989).[2] He was ordained a deacon on 23 November 1988 and a priest on 23 November 1989.[1] He earned a licentiate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in Rome, enhancing his focus on social and ethical issues.[9]
His academic roles included serving as rector of the San Pío X Diocesan Seminary (1997–2003) and teaching at the Catholic University of the East, grounding his ministry in both scholarship and pastoral care.[3] His education shaped his advocacy for peace and ecological conversion, aligning with Pope Francis’ teachings.[5]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Socorro y San Gil on 23 November 1989 by Bishop Jorge Leonardo Gómez Serna, Rueda served as parish priest in Albania (1990–1992), Curití (1992–1993), Pinchote (1993–1994), Mogotes (1994–1997), and Barichara (2003–2004).[9] He held administrative roles, including vicar for pastoral care and vicar episcopal of San Gil (2004–2012), subdirector of SEPAS, and rector of IDEAR.[9]
Rueda’s priesthood focused on community engagement, particularly in regions affected by poverty and violence.[3] His support for the 2016 FARC peace agreement began during this period, reflecting his commitment to reconciliation.[5] Allegations of failing to report abuse cases emerged later, but these remain unverified by primary sources and are under review.[7]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Montelíbano on 2 February 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, Rueda was consecrated on 14 April 2012 by Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, with Archbishops Ismael Rueda Sierra and Carlos Germán Mesa Ruiz as co-consecrators.[1] He served as president of the Episcopal Commission for Social and Charitable Pastoral Care (2017).[9] Named Archbishop of Popayán on 19 May 2018, he took possession on 7 July 2018, receiving the pallium from Pope Francis on 29 June 2018.[2]
Appointed Archbishop of Bogotá on 25 April 2020, Rueda was installed on 11 June 2020, also serving as apostolic administrator of Diocese of Soacha (2021–2022).[1] Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Luca a Via Prenestina on 30 September 2023, he was elected to the Ordinary Council of the Synod of Bishops in 2024.[4] His leadership in Bogotá has prioritized peace, migration, and anti-narcotrafficking efforts, though allegations of inaction on abuse cases have drawn scrutiny, particularly from journalistic investigations.[7]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Montelíbano | Diocesan Bishop | 2 February 2012 | 19 May 2018 | Focused on social pastoral care in a conflict zone |
| Archdiocese of Popayán | Metropolitan Archbishop | 19 May 2018 | 25 April 2020 | Received pallium from Pope Francis in 2018 |
| Archdiocese of Bogotá | Metropolitan Archbishop | 25 April 2020 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2023; Primate of Colombia |
| Diocese of Soacha | Apostolic Administrator | 13 May 2021 | 25 June 2022 | Temporary role during vacancy |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Socorro y San Gil in 1989.[1]
- Earned licentiate in moral theology from Alphonsian Academy in Rome.[9]
- Appointed Bishop of Montelíbano in 2012.[1]
- Named president of the Episcopal Commission for Social and Charitable Pastoral Care in 2017.[9]
- Appointed Archbishop of Popayán in 2018.[2]
- Named Archbishop of Bogotá and Primate of Colombia in 2020.[1]
- Elected president of the Colombian Episcopal Conference (2021–2024).[4]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.[2]
- Elected to the Ordinary Council of the Synod of Bishops in 2024.[4]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[6]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Mazurczak, Filip (30 September 2023). "Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio: Colombia’s Peace Advocate". https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/09/30/meet-the-new-cardinals-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio/.
- Gómez, Laura (12 October 2023). "Esta es la historia del carpintero de San Gil que llegó a cardenal". https://www.radionacional.co/cultura/historias/cardenal-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio.
- Rodríguez, Carlos (25 February 2025). "¿El próximo papa podría ser colombiano?". https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/el-proximo-papa-podria-ser-colombiano-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio-2025.
Written by the bishop
- No books or major publications by Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio have been identified in available sources, though he has contributed homilies and pastoral reflections on peace and fraternity.[4]
External links
- Luis José Cardinal Rueda Aparicio at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Monseñor Luis José Rueda Aparicio at Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia
- Colombia: Cardenal Rueda habla sobre la importancia de la fraternidad at Vatican News
- Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio at Vatican Press
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cheney, David M.. "Luis José Cardinal Rueda Aparicio". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/brueap.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Resignations and Appointments, 09.07.2023". 9 July 2023. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/07/09/230709a.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Mazurczak, Filip (30 September 2023). "Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio: Colombia’s Peace Advocate". https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/09/30/meet-the-new-cardinals-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Cardenal Luis José Rueda Aparicio, nuevo miembro del Consejo Ordinario del Sínodo". 19 October 2024. https://www.cec.org.co/noticias/cardenal-luis-jos%C3%A9-rueda-aparicio-nuevo-miembro-del-consejo-ordinario-del-s%C3%ADnodo.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio". 30 September 2023. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255641/cardinal-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 González, Juan (26 April 2025). "Cardenal Luis José Rueda, el único colombiano habilitado para elegir Papa". https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/bogota/cardenal-luis-jose-rueda-el-unico-colombiano-habilitado-para-elegir-papa-863092.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Barrientos, María (30 September 2023). "Denuncias por encubrimiento de abusos sexuales contra el cardenal Luis José Rueda". https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/denuncias-por-encubrimiento-de-abusos-sexuales-contra-el-cardenal-luis-jose-rueda/202342/.
- ↑ "Colombia: Cardenal Rueda habla sobre la importancia de la fraternidad". 28 September 2023. https://www.vaticannews.va/es/iglesia/news/2023-09/colombia-cardenal-rueda-fraternidad.html.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 "Monseñor Luis José Rueda Aparicio". https://www.cec.org.co/monse%C3%B1or-luis-jos%C3%A9-rueda-aparicio.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Gómez, Laura (12 October 2023). "Esta es la historia del carpintero de San Gil que llegó a cardenal". https://www.radionacional.co/cultura/historias/cardenal-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio.
- ↑ Rodríguez, Carlos (25 February 2025). "¿El próximo papa podría ser colombiano?". https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/el-proximo-papa-podria-ser-colombiano-luis-jose-rueda-aparicio-2025.