Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal
Stored: Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal
| His Eminence Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Cartagena | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Bucaramanga |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Zipaquirá |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 17 June 1967 by Bishop Héctor Rueda Hernández |
| Consecration: | 12 June 1992 by Archbishop Paolo Romeo |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal 29 March 1942 Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Colombia |
| Education: | Pontifical Xavierian University |
| Motto: | "In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen" (In Your Light We Shall See Light) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Latin America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Ineligible |
Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal, C.J.M., born on 29 March 1942, is a Colombian prelate of the Catholic Church, who served as the Archbishop of Cartagena from 2005 to 2021 and was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[1] Born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, he entered the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) in 1959, was ordained a priest in 1967, and served as Bishop of Zipaquirá from 1992 to 1994 and Archbishop Coadjutor of Cartagena from 2004 to 2005.[2] Known for his moderate theology, commitment to social justice, and leadership in Latin American Catholicism, Jiménez served as secretary general (1995–1999) and president (1999–2003) of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM).[3] His 2002 kidnapping by FARC rebels, followed by a military rescue after four days, marked a significant moment in his ministry.[4]
Jiménez’s career includes roles in Vatican bodies, such as the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and participation in Synods on the Family (2014, 2015) and Africa (2009).[5] His pastoral work emphasized hope and reconciliation, notably during Pope Francis’ 2017 Colombia visit, where he accompanied the pope and encouraged youth to embrace Vatican II’s call to heed the signs of the times.[6] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Dorotea at age 80, Jiménez is ineligible for the 2025 papal conclave but remains active in consistories, expressing gratitude for his appointment while noting his surprise at the honor.[7] Now emeritus, he continues to serve the Church, drawing on his experience of surviving captivity to advocate for peace.[8]
Biography
Birth and early life
Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal was born on 29 March 1942 in Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia, in the Archdiocese of Nueva Pamplona.[1] He attended the minor seminary in Floridablanca, earning a high school diploma, and discovered his religious vocation during his youth.[9] In 1959, he moved to Bogotá to join the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists), beginning his novitiate.[2]
Growing up in Bucaramanga, Jiménez was shaped by Colombia’s socio-political challenges, including violence and inequality, which influenced his later focus on social justice and reconciliation.[5] His early engagement with the Eudists fostered a commitment to pastoral service.[10]
Education
Jiménez studied philosophy at the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá, earning a licentiate, and theology at the Eudist Seminary of Valmaría in Bogotá.[2] He also pursued social sciences at the Latin American Institute of Social Studies in Santiago, Chile.[10] He professed solemn vows with the Eudists on 17 May 1964 and was ordained a priest on 17 June 1967 by Bishop Héctor Rueda Hernández.[1]
His academic roles included teaching at the major seminary of Santa Rosa de Osos and serving as director of studies at CELAM’s Theological-Pastoral Institute in Medellín (1979–1988).[8] His education equipped him for leadership in Latin American Catholicism.[5]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Congregation of Jesus and Mary in 1967, Jiménez served as formator at the Eudist Seminary of Valmaría (1967–1971), head of the social section of the Eudist “El Minuto de Dios” community in Bogotá (1972–1978), and member of the National Secretariat of Social Pastoral Care (1975–1978).[8] He was provincial superior of the Eudists in Colombia and secretary of CELAM’s Department of Vocations and Ministries (1989–1991).[2]
His priesthood focused on education, social outreach, and regional leadership, culminating in his CELAM roles as secretary general (1995–1999) and president (1999–2003).[3] In November 2002, Jiménez and Father Desiderio Orjuela were kidnapped by FARC rebels while traveling north of Bogotá, rescued after four days by the Colombian army, an experience he described as profoundly unsettling.[4][6]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Zipaquirá on 28 March 1992 by Pope John Paul II, Jiménez was consecrated on 12 June 1992 by Archbishop Paolo Romeo.[1] Named Archbishop Coadjutor of Cartagena on 6 February 2004, he succeeded as Archbishop of Cartagena on 24 October 2005, serving until his retirement on 25 March 2021.[9] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Dorotea on 27 August 2022, he took possession of his titular church on 3 October 2023.[8]
Jiménez’s episcopal ministry emphasized peace and hope, notably during Pope Francis’ 2017 Colombia visit.[6] His CELAM leadership and Vatican roles, including the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, highlighted his influence.[5] His age (over 80) makes him ineligible for the 2025 conclave, but he participates in consistories.[11]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Zipaquirá | Diocesan Bishop | 28 March 1992 | 6 February 2004 | Kidnapped by FARC in 2002 |
| Archdiocese of Cartagena | Archbishop Coadjutor | 6 February 2004 | 24 October 2005 | Succeeded as archbishop |
| Archdiocese of Cartagena | Metropolitan Archbishop | 24 October 2005 | 25 March 2021 | Retired; elevated to cardinal in 2022 |
Significant events
- Entered the Congregation of Jesus and Mary in 1959.[2]
- Ordained priest in 1967 by Bishop Héctor Rueda Hernández.[1]
- Appointed secretary general of CELAM (1995–1999).[3]
- Elected president of CELAM (1999–2003).[3]
- Kidnapped by FARC rebels in November 2002, rescued after four days.[4]
- Appointed Bishop of Zipaquirá in 1992.[1]
- Named Archbishop Coadjutor of Cartagena in 2004.[9]
- Succeeded as Archbishop of Cartagena in 2005.[9]
- Accompanied Pope Francis during 2017 Colombia visit.[6]
- Retired as Archbishop of Cartagena in 2021.[9]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[2]
- Took possession of Santa Dorotea titular church in 2023.[8]
- Confirmed as ineligible for the 2025 papal conclave due to age.[11]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Mazurczak, Filip (27 August 2022). "Cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal: A Life of Service". https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/08/27/meet-the-new-cardinals-jorge-enrique-jimenez-carvajal/.
- González, María (28 August 2022). "Monseñor Jorge Enrique Jiménez, el nuevo cardenal de Colombia". https://www.eltiempo.com/vida/religion/monsenor-jorge-enrique-jimenez-el-nuevo-cardenal-de-colombia-699363.
- "Colombia’s newest cardinal, who was kidnapped by terrorists". 5 March 2023. https://www.romereports.com/en/2023/03/05/colombias-newest-cardinal-who-was-kidnapped-by-terrorists/.
Written by the bishop
- No books or major publications by Cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal have been identified in available sources, though he has contributed pastoral letters and reflections on social justice and hope.[8]
External links
- Jorge Enrique Cardinal Jiménez Carvajal at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Monseñor Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal at Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia
- Cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal at Vatican Press
- Card. Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal at CELAM
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Cheney, David M.. "Jorge Enrique Cardinal Jiménez Carvajal, C.J.M.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/jica.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal, C.I.M.". 27 August 2022. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_jimenez-carvajal.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Card. Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal". 25 September 2021. https://celam.org/arzobispo-emerito-de-cartagena-colombia-1995-1999/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Statement on the Abduction of Bishop Jorge Jiménez Carvajal". 13 November 2002. https://www.usccb.org/news/2002/statement-abduction-bishop-jorge-jimenez-carvajal.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Mazurczak, Filip (27 August 2022). "Cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal: A Life of Service". https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/08/27/meet-the-new-cardinals-jorge-enrique-jimenez-carvajal/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Colombia’s newest cardinal, who was kidnapped by terrorists". 5 March 2023. https://www.romereports.com/en/2023/03/05/colombias-newest-cardinal-who-was-kidnapped-by-terrorists/.
- ↑ González, María (28 August 2022). "Monseñor Jorge Enrique Jiménez, el nuevo cardenal de Colombia". https://www.eltiempo.com/vida/religion/monsenor-jorge-enrique-jimenez-el-nuevo-cardenal-de-colombia-699363.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 "El Cardenal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal tomó posesión de su parroquia en Roma: Santa Dorotea". 2 October 2023. https://www.cec.org.co/noticias/el-cardenal-jorge-enrique-jim%C3%A9nez-carvajal-tom%C3%B3-posesi%C3%B3n-de-su-parroquia-en-roma-santa. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "cec" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal". 1 June 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorge_Enrique_Jim%C3%A9nez_Carvajal.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal". 3 August 2016. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorge_Enrique_Jim%C3%A9nez_Carvajal.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.