Resignation of bishop of Barrancabermeja, Colombia, and appointment of successor
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Barrancabermeja, Colombia, presented by Bishop Camilo Fernando Castrellón Pizano, S.D.B.
The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of Barrancabermeja, Colombia, the Reverend Ovidio Giraldo Velásquez, of the clergy of the diocese of La Dorada – Guaduas, Colombia, currently national director of the Network for New Evangelisation (SINE).
Reverend Ovidio Giraldo Velásquez
The Reverend Ovidio Giraldo Velásquez was born in Montebonito, diocese of La Dorada – Guaduas, on January 27, 1963. He carried out his studies in philosophy and theology in the major seminary of Manizales. He obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
He received priestly ordination on February 18, 1989, and was incardinated in the diocese of La Dorada – Guaduas.
He has served as parish vicar of the parishes of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores and San Antonio, parish priest of the parish of San José Obrero, formater of the Cristo Buen Pastor Seminary, parish priest of the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Seminary, diocesan delegate for social pastoral care, diocesan vicar for pastoral ministry, and since 2013, national director for the Network for New Evangelisation (SINE).
Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Ibagué, Colombia
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Orlando Roa Barbosa of Espinal, Colombia, as metropolitan archbishop of the archdiocese of Ibagué, Colombia.
Archbishop-elect Orlando Roa Barbosa
Archbishop-elect Orlando Roa Barbosa was born in Cali on July 4, 1958. He carried out his ecclesiastical studies in philosophy in the major seminary of Garzón, and in theology in the major seminary of Ibagué. He obtained a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and a licentiate in philosophy and religious sciences from the Universidad Católica de Oriente in Rionegro, Colombia.
He received episcopal ordination on December 6, 1984, for the metropolitan archdiocese of Ibagué.
As a priest, he has held the following offices: prefect for discipline in the minor seminary of Ibagué, archdiocesan delegate for youth and vocational pastoral care, parish priest of Santa Isabel de Hungría in Santa Isabel, parish priest of Santa Gertrudis in Rovira, parish priest of El Perpetuo Socorro of the María Inmaculada archdiocesan major seminary.
On May 12, 2012, he was appointed as titular bishop of Nasbinca and auxiliary of Ibagué. He received episcopal consecration the following July 28. On May 20, 2015, he was appointed as bishop of Espinal.
