Bishop Oscar José Vélez Isaza

Priestly Ordination: December 12, 1975. Episcopal Ordination: July 19, 2003. Biography: Monsignor Oscar José Vélez Isaza, CMF, was born on November 4, 1951, in Pensilvania, a municipality in the Department of Caldas located within the territory of the Diocese of La Dorada-Guaduas. He obtained his high school diploma from the Colegio Mayor Nuestra Señora del Rosario in Bogotá (1968). He began his ecclesiastical studies at the San José Archdiocesan Major Seminary in the same capital, where he completed the philosophy cycle and the first year of theology (1969–1972). Subsequently, he joined the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) and, after completing his novitiate, finished his theological training at the Congregation's theologate in Manizales and La Estrella (Antioquia) (1974–1975). He made his first profession in that religious institute on February 2, 1974, and professed perpetual vows on December 8, 1975, in La Estrella (Antioquia). He received the Sacrament of Holy Orders (presbyterate) in Bogotá on December 12, 1975. Following his priestly ordination, he pursued specialized studies in Madrid, Spain, at the Higher Institute of Religious Life (affiliated with the Pontifical University of Salamanca). There, he obtained a Licentiate in Theology of Religious Life; he also earned a Licentiate in Moral Theology from the Higher Institute of Moral Sciences in the same city (affiliated with the Pontifical University of Comillas). Later, upon returning to Colombia, he obtained a Licentiate in Education and Religious Sciences from the University of San Buenaventura (Cali). He has held the following positions: Assistant to the Novice Master (1975–1978); Parish Priest of the Corazón de María parish in Medellín (1978–1984); Local Bursar and Teacher at the Colegio Claret in Cali (1984); Rector of the same Claret School (1985–1987). Upon returning from his studies in Spain, he was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Cali (1990–1992) and simultaneously served as a professor of moral theology at the Archdiocese's Major Seminary. In 1992, he was named Rector of Santa Dorotea School in Cali and elected Provincial Bursar of his religious institute (1992–1995). In 1995, he was appointed Provincial Superior of the Western Colombia Claretian Province of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a position to which he was re-elected twice. He served on the National Board of Directors of the Conference of Religious of Colombia and was a member of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Medellín, representing consecrated life. On June 10, 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Valledupar; he received episcopal ordination on July 19, 2003, and took possession of the assigned see on August 23 of that same year.