Bishop of Engativá
Monsignor Germán Medina Acosta was born in Bogotá on February 25, 1958, to Manuel Antonio Medina and Marina Acosta de Medina. He completed his secondary education at the Minor Seminary of Bogotá (1975) and his studies in Philosophy (1978) and Theology (1982) at the Major Seminary of Bogotá. He holds a Licentiate in Theology (1989) from the Pontifical Xavierian University (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana). He earned a Master’s degree in Community Psychology (1996) and a specialization in Ethics and Values Pedagogy (1998) from the Pontifical Xavierian University. He holds a Doctorate in Theology (2002) from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1983, by Cardinal Aníbal Muñoz Duque, to serve the Archdiocese of Bogotá. He began his pastoral service as a parochial vicar at Nuestra Señora del Ave María (1983). He served as a member of the leadership team at the Minor Seminary of Bogotá (1984), coordinator of the archdiocesan Youth Ministry team (1985), and chaplain at the Colegio del Rosario (1986). He was the first chaplain at the National University and parish priest at Santos Ángeles Custodios (1996). He served as Archpriest of Archpriest District No. 1.3 (1999), a member of the formation team at the Major Seminary (2002), a member of the Permanent Diaconate Council (2003), and a member of the Presbyteral Council (2008). He served as Rector of the San José Major Seminary (2010). He was a member of the Presbyteral Council (2014) and parish priest at San Juan de Ávila (2015). In 2016, he became a member of the Presbyteral Council—representing the Territorial Episcopal Vicariate of San Pedro—and facilitator of the archdiocesan team for ongoing formation. He was confirmed as a member of the College of Consultors and appointed Territorial Episcopal Vicar of San Pedro and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bogotá in June 2017. On July 11, 2021, he was appointed by Pope Francis as Titular Bishop of Aradi and Auxiliary Bishop of Bogotá. He was ordained a bishop on August 14, 2021, and assumed office. On June 29, 2024, he was appointed Bishop of Engativá by Pope Francis and took canonical possession of the assigned see on August 23 of the same year. He was born in Bogotá on February 25, 1958, to Manuel Antonio Medina Salazar and Marina Acosta de Medina. He is the fourth of six siblings. He completed his secondary education at the Minor Seminary of Bogotá (1975) and his priestly formation at the Major Seminary of Bogotá, studying Philosophy (1978) and Theology (1982). His other studies include a Licentiate in Theology (1989) from the Pontifical Xavierian University (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana); a Master’s degree in Community Psychology (1996) from the Pontifical Xavierian University; a specialization in Ethics and the Pedagogy of Values (1998) from the Pontifical Xavierian University; and a Doctorate in Theology (2002) from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1983, by His Eminence Cardinal Aníbal Muñoz Duque, to serve in the Archdiocese of Bogotá, associated with the Institute of Jesus the Adolescent (Instituto de Jesús Adolescente). He began his pastoral service as a member of the priestly team for the *in solidum* parishes in Ciudad Bolívar (1983); subsequently, he was appointed parochial vicar at Nuestra Señora del Ave María (1984); a member of the leadership team at the Minor Seminary of Bogotá (1985); coordinator of the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Team (1985); chaplain at the Colegio Mayor del Rosario – Quinta Mutis (1986); executive secretary of the Youth Section of the Permanent Secretariat of the Colombian Episcopal Conference (1994); first chaplain at the National University; and parish priest at Santos Ángeles Custodios (1996). Archpriest of Archpresbyterate No. 1.3 (1999); member of the Major Seminary formation team (2002); member of the Permanent Diaconate Council (2003); member of the Presbyteral Council (2008). He served as Rector of the San José Major Seminary (2010); Director of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (2010); member of the Presbyteral Council (2014); parish priest at San Juan de Ávila (2015); member of the Presbyteral Council—representing the Territorial Episcopal Vicariate of San Pedro—and facilitator for the Archdiocesan Team for Ongoing Formation (2016). Confirmed as a member of the College of Consultors; appointed Territorial Episcopal Vicar of San Pedro and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bogotá, effective June 2017. On August 14, 2021, he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bogotá by Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio, Archbishop of Bogotá and President of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia. Subsequently, he was appointed Episcopal Vicar for Evangelization and Episcopal Vicar for Proclamation, Faith Formation, and Dialogue with Culture, as well as a member of the Presbyteral Council. • Parochial Vicar at Nuestra Señora del Ave María (1983). • Member of the leadership team at the Bogotá Minor Seminary (1984). • Coordinator of the archdiocesan Youth Ministry team (1985). Chaplain at Colegio del Rosario (1986). • First Chaplain at the National University and Parish Priest at Santos Ángeles Custodios (1996). • Archpriest of Archpresbyterate No. 1.3 (1999). • Member of the Major Seminary formation team (2002). Member of the Permanent Diaconate Council (2003). • Member of the Presbyteral Council (2008). • Rector of the San José Major Seminary (2010). • Member of the Presbyteral Council (2014). • Parish priest at San Juan de Ávila (2015). • Member of the Presbyteral Council, representing the Territorial Episcopal Vicariate of San Pedro, and facilitator for the archdiocesan team for ongoing formation (2016). • Confirmed as a member of the College of Consultors; appointed Territorial Episcopal Vicar of San Pedro and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bogotá (June 2017). • On July 11, 2021, he was appointed by Pope Francis as Titular Bishop of Aradi and Auxiliary Bishop of Bogotá. His episcopal ordination took place on August 14, 2021; he assumed office that same day.