Bishop of Buga
Monsignor Alexander Matiz Atencio was born on August 4, 1960, in Pasto (Nariño). He pursued his studies in Philosophy and Theology at the San Pedro Apóstol Major Seminary in Cali and was ordained a priest on November 25, 1990, becoming incardinated into the Archdiocese of Cali. In 1986, he qualified as an architect from the Universidad del Valle; he specialized in Human Talent Management at Unicatólica, completed a diploma program in Senior Management at the Universidad de Los Andes, and undertook studies in liturgy and sacred art at the Center for Liturgical Pastoral Care of Catalonia. His roles included: Parish Administrator of San José Obrero (1990–1993); Parochial Vicar in Barcelona, Spain (1993–1995); Parish Administrator of María Madre de Dios (1995–1997); Director of Liturgy for the Archdiocese of Cali (1996); Parish Priest of Jesús Obrero (1997–2003); Director of the Commission for Life, Justice, and Peace (2002–2012); Director of Social Pastoral Care (2002–2012); Parish Priest of San Juan Evangelista (2004–2010); Parish Priest of Nuestro Señor de los Cristales (2010–2017); Parish Priest of María Inmaculada (2017–2024); and Episcopal Vicar for Economic Affairs (2024–present). On Saturday, December 7, 2024, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Buga, which had been shepherded by Monsignor José Roberto Ospina Leongomez since May 2012. Monsignor Alexander Matiz received episcopal ordination on February 22, 2025, at the Basilica of the Lord of Miracles in Buga, at the hands of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cali, Monsignor Luis Fernando Rodríguez Vásquez. During the same ceremony, he took possession of his assigned episcopal see.