Bishop Hency Martínez Vargas

Monsignor Hency Martínez Vargas was born in Málaga (Santander) on February 24, 1958, to Ciro Antonio Martínez and Anafael Vargas. After completing his secondary education at the Custodio García National School in Málaga (Santander), he entered the Archdiocesan Major Seminary of Bucaramanga, where he pursued studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Bucaramanga on June 10, 1985. Two years later, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Málaga-Soatá, which had been established on July 7, 1987, with H.E. Monsignor Hernán Giraldo Jaramillo serving as its first bishop. In 1988, he completed a course on mass media at ITEPAL. Following several years of pastoral experience, he was sent to Rome, where he obtained a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1994. - Parochial Vicar of San Juan Bautista, Girón (1985). - Parochial Vicar of San Laureano, Bucaramanga (1986). - Parish Priest of San Claudio Obispo, Macaravita (1987–1989). - Diocesan Chancellor (1988–1992). - Diocesan Director of Catechesis and head of the Santísima Trinidad Pastoral Animation Center, Málaga (1990–1992). - Student in Rome (1992–1994). - Founder and first Parish Priest of Santísima Trinidad, Málaga (1994–1999). - Delegate for documents and Director of Catechesis (1996–1999). - Formator at the Archdiocesan Major Seminary of Bucaramanga (1999–2002). - Service at the Parish of Girón (2003). - Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral (2004–2008). - Rector of the Hispanic Missionary Major Seminary (2009–2014). - Member of the College of Consultors; Parish Priest of the Co-Cathedral of Soatá (2014). - Vicar General (2007–2010; 2012–2014; 2015–2019). Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of La Dorada-Guaduas on January 13, 2019. He received episcopal ordination on March 21, 2019, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Málaga, and his canonical installation took place on April 4 of the same year at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in La Dorada.