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| Episcopal Conference of Colombia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Episcopal Conference of Colombia |
| Native name | Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia |
| Abbreviation | CEC |
| Formation | 1908 |
| Headquarters | Bogotá |
| Region | Colombia |
| Membership | Roman Catholic bishops of Colombia |
| Leader title | President |
Episcopal Conference of Colombia is the assembly of Roman Catholic bishops in Colombia that coordinates pastoral action, social teaching, and liturgical norms among Colombian dioceses. Founded in the early 20th century, it acts as a national forum for bishops from metropolitan sees, apostolic vicariates, and military ordinariates to address religious, social, and humanitarian issues. The conference interacts with the Holy See, regional episcopal bodies, Colombian institutions in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena, and international organizations in Rome, Geneva, New York, and Washington.
The origins trace to early 20th-century gatherings influenced by papal documents such as Rerum Novarum, Apostolicae Curae, and later Lumen Gentium, with formative meetings in Bogotá, Medellín, and Popayán. Major historical milestones include responses to the Colombian conflict involving actors like FARC, ELN, and the AUC, pastoral letters addressing human rights after the Bogotazo era, and engagement during periods characterized by presidents including Alfonso López Pumarejo, Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, Belisario Betancur, and Álvaro Uribe. The conference participated in episcopal networking at the Latin American Episcopal Conference in Medellín (1968) and Aparecida (2007), reflecting influences from Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. It reacted to national crises such as the 1991 constitutional reform under César Gaviria and humanitarian challenges during administrations of Ernesto Samper and Iván Duque Márquez.
The conference's canonical structure follows norms established by the Code of Canon Law and the statutes promulgated in assemblies held in Bogotá and Medellín. It comprises episcopal commissions, permanent secretariats, and regional sections spanning archdioceses like Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, and Bucaramanga, and suffragan dioceses such as Zipaquirá, Manizales, Pasto, Santa Marta, and Pereira. Administrative organs include a permanent council, secretariat general, finance office, and liaison offices for relations with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Presidents have included archbishops and cardinals from major sees, often alternating between prelates from Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. Notable leaders who have presided over plenary assemblies include cardinals like Pedro Rubiano Sáenz, Bernardo Hoyos, and archbishops affiliated with pastoral priorities influenced by figures such as Óscar Romero (in regional inspiration), Luis Ángel Arango, and theologians connected to Gustavo Gutiérrez and Leonardo Boff. Elections adhere to canonical procedures and coordination with papal representatives such as the Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia.
The conference issues pastoral letters, liturgical norms, and statements on public life, addressing topics ranging from peace negotiations involving FARC and ELN to social policy debates involving presidents and legislators like Juan Manuel Santos and Gustavo Petro. It coordinates catechesis referencing documents like Catechism of the Catholic Church and organises formation programs with universities and seminaries such as Pontifical Xavierian University, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Pontifical Bolivarian University, Major Seminary of Bogotá, and Seminary of Popayán. The conference represents Colombian bishops in interactions with international organizations including United Nations, Organization of American States, and humanitarian actors like Cáritas Internationalis.
Key initiatives include mediation and humanitarian efforts during the internal armed conflict, advocacy for victims associated with massacres like Trujillo massacre and events in La Gabarra, promotion of social programs tied to Cáritas Colombia, campaigns on human rights inspired by Colombian Commission of Jurists reports, and environmental stewardship aligned with papal encyclicals such as Laudato si'. The conference supports educational projects involving institutions like ICBF collaboration, health initiatives with hospitals such as San José Hospital (Bogotá), and outreach in indigenous and Afro-Colombian territories including regions like Chocó, Amazonas (Colombia), Catatumbo, and Putumayo.
The conference maintains diplomatic and ecclesiastical ties with the Holy See through the Apostolic Nunciature to Colombia and coordinates on episcopal appointments with the Congregation for Bishops and the Dicastery for the Clergy. It engages Colombian administrations, negotiating with ministries and state actors during negotiations like the 2016 Colombian peace agreement under President Juan Manuel Santos and in dialogues with courts such as the Constitutional Court of Colombia. The conference has public stances on legislation debated in the Congress of Colombia and interacts with regional organizations like the Andean Community and multilateral forums in Bogotá and Rome.
Membership comprises active and emeritus bishops from archdioceses, dioceses, apostolic vicariates, and the Military Ordinariate of Colombia, spanning provinces that include Archdiocese of Bogotá, Archdiocese of Medellín, Archdiocese of Cali, Diocese of Cúcuta, Diocese of Neiva, Apostolic Vicariate of Leticia, Apostolic Vicariate of Inírida, and ecclesiastical jurisdictions serving communities in Amazonas (Colombia), Guainía, Vichada Department, and coastal areas like Magdalena Department and Atlántico Department. The conference liaises with episcopal conferences in neighboring countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama.
Category:Roman Catholic Church in Colombia