Bishop José Libardo Garcés Monsalve

Monsignor José Libardo Garcés Monsalve was born in Aguadas (Archdiocese of Manizales) on September 26, 1967. After completing his basic education at the Francisco Montoya School in his hometown, he entered the Major Seminary of Manizales, where he pursued studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Manizales on November 27, 1993. Following his ordination, he obtained a licentiate degree in philosophy and religious sciences from Santo Tomás University and later attended the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he earned a licentiate in psychology. He served as a parochial vicar in Pácora (1993–1995), bursar and formator at the Major Seminary of Manizales (1996–1998), and a student in Rome (1998–2002). He was a member of the formation team at the Major Seminary of Manizales (2002–2009) and served as parish priest at Nuestra Señora de los Dolores in Manizales (2010–2013) and at the University Parish (October 2010–2013). He has been a member of the Presbyteral Council (2011–present), parish priest at the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora del Rosario in Manizales (2013–present), Chancellor of the Archdiocese (2014–present), and a member of the College of Consultors (2011–present). On June 29, 2016, he was appointed Bishop of Málaga-Soatá by Pope Francis. He received episcopal ordination on September 1, 2016, and canonically took possession of the assigned see on October 1 of that same year. On October 4, 2021, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Cúcuta; he had already been serving as its Apostolic Administrator since January 30 of that year. He canonically took possession of this see on November 20, 2021.