Jesús Rubén Darío Salazar Gómez (Spanish pronunciation: [ruˈβen salaˈsaɾ ˈɣomes]; born 22 September 1942) is a Colombian prelate of the Catholic Church who was Metropolitan Archbishop of Bogotá from 2010 to 2020. He was made a cardinal in 2012. He was Metropolitan Archbishop of Barranquilla from 1999 to 2010.

His Eminence

Rubén Salazar Gómez
Cardinal, Metropolitan Archbishop Emertius of Bogotá
Primate Emeritus of Colombia
ArchdioceseBogotá
Appointed8 July 2010
Installed13 August 2010
Term ended25 April 2020
PredecessorPedro Rubiano Sàenz
SuccessorLuis José Rueda Aparicio
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of San Gerardo Maiella
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination20 May 1967
by José Joaquín Flórez Hernández
Consecration25 March 1992
by Paolo Romeo
Created cardinal24 November 2012
by Pope Benedict XVI
RankCardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born (1942-09-22) 22 September 1942 (age 82)
Bogotá, Colombia
NationalityColombian
DenominationRoman Catholic
MottoTunc Dixi Ecce Venio (English:Behold I have come as I said)
Coat of armsRubén Salazar Gómez's coat of arms
Styles of
Rubén Salazar Gómez
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeBogotá

Early life and ministry

edit

Jesús Rubén Darío Salazar Gómez[1] was born in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1942. He completed his high school studies and philosophy at the seminary of Ibagué. At the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome he followed the theological studies, obtaining a licentiate in dogmatic theology. He obtained his Licentiate in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.

He was ordained a priest on 20 May 1967 and then held various positions including: pastor, seminary professor, director of the Department of Social Pastoral of the Colombian Episcopal Conference, and Vicar for Pastoral Care.

Bishop

edit

He was named Bishop of Cúcuta on 11 February 1992 and was consecrated on 25 March. On 18 March 1999 he was appointed Archbishop of Barranquilla. He was appointed Archbishop of Bogotá on 8 July 2010.[2] He took possession of the see on 13 August. During his installation, Salazar Gómez said that he would be focusing on three priorities: "protecting marriage as the union between one man and one woman, saving innocent life in the womb, and promoting peace in Colombia".[3] Referring to the work of his predecessor, Cardinal Rubiano Sáenz, he said that "I will support each and every one of you with the affection of a father, a brother, a friend, because we have an arduous common task." He added that it is necessary "to discern together the will of the Lord for his people and to strengthen the conditions that will make possible a joint evangelizing endeavour."[3]

Cardinal

edit

He was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in a consistory on 24 November 2012.[4] As cardinal priest he was assigned the titular church of San Gerardo Maiella.[5]

On 31 January 2013, Pope Benedict XVI named him a member of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.[6]

He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.

Pope Francis appointed him a member of the Congregation for Bishops on 16 December 2013.[7] In May 2015, he was elected to a four-year term as president of the Latin American Bishops Conference (CELAM).[8]

On 25 April 2020, Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Bogota and appointed Luis José Rueda Aparicio to succeed him.[9]

On 8 March 2022 Salazar was admitted to hospital suffering heart problems and after surgery to insert a stent he remained in intensive care.[10]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Monseñor Rubén Darío Salazar, nuevo arzobispo de Bogotá" (in Spanish). Caracol Radio. 8 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 08.07.2010" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 8 July 2010. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "New Prelate for Colombian Capital Sets Priorities". Zenit. 17 August 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Annuncio di Concistoro per la Creazione di Sei Nuovi Cardinali" (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 24 October 2012. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Titles and Deaconry of the new Cardinals". Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. 24 November 2012. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 31.01.2013" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 16.12.2013" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Cardenal Salazar es el nuevo presidente del CELAM" (in Spanish). ACI Prensa. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 25.04.2020" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Arquidiócesis de Bogotá pide oraciones por salud del Cardenal Salazar" (in Spanish). 11 March 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo
Bishop of Cúcuta
11 February 1992 – 18 March 1999
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Félix María Torres Parra
Archbishop of Barranquilla
18 March 1999 – 8 July 2010
Succeeded by
Jairo Jaramillo Monsalve
Preceded by
Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga
President of the Colombian Episcopal Conference
3 July 2008 – 9 July 2014
Succeeded by
Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga
Preceded by Archbishop of Bogotá
8 July 2010 – 25 April 2020
Succeeded by
Preceded by First Vice-President of the Latin American Episcopal Council
19 May 2011 – 13 May 2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Cardinal-Priest of San Gerardo Maiella
24 November 2012 –
Incumbent
Preceded by President of the Latin American Episcopal Council
13 May 2015 – 15 May 2019
Succeeded by
edit