Rendón Urrea, born in 1967, will serve as the eighth pastor of the diocese, succeeding Monsignor Noel Antonio Londoño Buitrago, who retired in August 2024 upon reaching the age of 75 in accordance with the Code of Canon Law.
Background and Academic Profile of the New Bishop
Diego Luis Rendón Urrea was born on June 3, 1967, in Rionegro, Antioquia. His path to the episcopate includes extensive philosophical and theological training at the Seminario Mayor de Santa Rosa de Osos and the Universidad Santo Tomás de Medellín. He was ordained as a priest on November 21, 2000, for the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Osos.
Beyond his ecclesiastical studies, the new bishop holds a specialized academic background in education management and virtual pedagogy. He completed a specialization in Educational Management at the Universidad de San Buenaventura de Medellín, a specialization in Pedagogy of Virtuality at the Fundación Universitaria Católica del Norte, and pursued doctoral studies in Education at the Universidad Nacional de La Plata in Argentina.
Did You Know?
The Diocese of Jericó, established in 1915, holds significant historical weight in the Colombian Church as the birthplace of Santa Laura Montoya, the country’s first saint, as well as the birthplace of beatos Juan Bautista Velásquez Peláez and Jesús Aníbal Gómez Gómez.
Administrative and Pastoral Experience
For the past decade, Rendón Urrea has integrated pastoral work with a focus on educational leadership. Since 2015, he served as the rector general and legal representative of the Fundación Universitaria Católica del Norte and the Cibercolegio UCN. In these roles, he managed projects dedicated to higher education and virtual formation with a Catholic foundation.
His earlier ministry within the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Osos included roles as a parish vicar in Amalfi, a vocational promoter, and a delegate for both Missionary and Social Pastoral care.
Jurisdiction and Future Governance
The Diocese of Jericó currently oversees 15 municipalities in the southwest of Antioquia, including Andes, Jardín, Támesis, Salgar, Ciudad Bolívar, and Jericó. The administrative center of the diocese remains the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. Currently, the territory encompasses 30 parishes, a diocesan seminary, and various religious communities.
Following this transition, the diocese is expected to enter a new pastoral phase. The appointment marks the end of the 11-year tenure of Monsignor Londoño Buitrago, who led the diocese from 2013 until his retirement this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new bishop of the Diocese of Jericó?
The new bishop is Father Diego Luis Rendón Urrea, appointed by Pope León XIV.
What are the academic qualifications of the new bishop?
He is a philosopher and theologian with specializations in Educational Management and Pedagogy of Virtuality, and he has completed doctoral studies in Education in Argentina.
Which municipalities are included in the Diocese of Jericó?
The diocese covers 15 municipalities in the southwest of Antioquia, including Jericó, Andes, Jardín, Támesis, Salgar, Betania, Betulia, Concordia, and Ciudad Bolívar.
How might the new bishop’s background in virtual education influence the future of the diocese’s missionary work?