Francis appoints bishops in the archdiocese of Mérida-Bajadoz (Spain), in the archdiocese of Bogotá and in the diocese of Engativá, in Colombia
Vatican News
Three appointments by Pope Francis have been announced on June 29, the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul. They are Monsignor José Rodríguez Carballo in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz (Spain); Monsignor Germán Medina Acosta in the Diocese of Engativá (Colombia) and the Reverend Edwin Raúl Vanegas Cuervo, Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bogotá (Colombia).
Resignation and succession of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Mérida-Badajoz (Spain)
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz (Spain) presented by Monsignor Celso Morga Iruzubieta. He is succeeded by Monsignor José Rodríguez Carballo OFM, until now Coadjutor Archbishop of the same Archdiocese.
Monsignor José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, was born on August 11, 1953 in Lodoselo, Diocese of Ourense. He received priestly ordination on June 28, 1977. He has held the following positions and completed higher studies: General Minister of the Order of the Minor Brothers (2003-2013); Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of the Americas, from the University of San Buenaventura (Colombia) and from the same University in the United States of America. He is also a member of the International Academy of Portuguese Culture.
On April 6, 2013, he was appointed Secretary of the then Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, elevating him at the same time to the titular See of Belcastro, receiving episcopal consecration on the following May 18. On September 12, 2023 he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz (Spain), transferring him from the titular See of Belcastro and the position of Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Resignation and appointment of the Bishop of Engativá (Colombia)
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Engativá (Colombia), presented by Mons. Francisco Antonio Nieto Súa. In his place, the Pope has appointed Bishop of Engativá (Colombia) to Mons. Germán Medina Acosta, until now Titular Bishop of Aradi and Auxiliary of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bogotá (Colombia).
Monsignor Germán Medina Acosta was born in Bogotá on February 25, 1958. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the San José Conciliar Seminary in Bogotá. He obtained a Licentiate in Theology, a Master’s in Psychology and a specialization in Ethics and Pedagogy from the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá and a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1983, and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Bogotá.
He has held the following positions: Parish Vicar of Our Lady of Ave Maria; Trainer of the Minor Seminary; Archdiocesan Coordinator of Youth Ministry; Chaplain of the Colegio del Rosario; Chaplain of the National University; Parish Priest of Los Santos Ángeles Custodios; Trainer and Rector of the San José Conciliar Seminary of Bogotá; Parish Priest of San Juan de Ávila; Archdiocesan Coordinator for the Permanent Formation of the Clergy; Vicar General and, since 2017, Episcopal Vicar of the Territorial Zone of San Pedro.
On June 11, 2021, he was named Titular Bishop of Aradi and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bogotá; He received episcopal consecration on the following August 14.
Appointment of Auxiliary Bishop of Bogotá (Colombia)
The Holy Father has appointed Reverend Edwin Raúl Vanegas Cuervo, of the clergy of the same Archdiocese, until now Episcopal Vicar of the Territorial Zone of San José, Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bogotá (Colombia), assigning him the titular see of Mazaca.
Monsignor Edwin Raúl Vanegas Cuervo was born in Bogotá on May 21, 1975. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the San José Conciliar Seminary in Bogotá. He obtained a Licentiate in Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Bogotá on December 4, 1999.
He has held the following positions: Parish Vicar of Santa María Madre de Jesús (1999); Parish Priest of San Juan Neumann (2000-2004); Member of the Archdiocesan Vocational Ministry Team (2005-2006); Trainer (2009-2018) and Rector (2019-2024) of the San José Conciliar Seminary of Bogotá; Archdiocesan Coordinator for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue (2013-2016); Animator for the Permanent Formation of the Clergy (2018). Since 2024 he has been Episcopal Vicar of the Territorial Zone of San José.
