Appointment of vicar apostolic of Guapi, Colombia

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Alfonso García López, of the clergy of Istmina-Tadó, until now vicar general of the diocese of Istmina-Tadó, as vicar apostolic of Guapi, Colombia.

Curriculum vitae

The Reverend Alfonso García López was born on 23 February 1971 in Juradó, Colombia. He studied philosophy and theology at the San Pio X Major Seminary of the diocese of Istmina-Tadó. He was awarded a licentiate in philosophy and religious education from the Universidad Católica de Oriente in Rionegro, Colombia, specializing in pedagogy and didactics. He received a diploma in priestly formation from the Instituto Teologico-Pastorale para América Latina of CELAM, and a master’s degree in business administration and international business from the University of Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America. He obtained a postgraduate qualification in biblical studies from the Uniclaretiana University.

He was ordained a priest on 21 February 1998.

He has held the following offices: parish priest of Santa Rita da Casia in Río Iró (1998-2000), parish priest of San Roque in Juradó (2000-2001), parish priest of Inmaculado Corazón de María in Bahía Solano (2001-2002), vice rector and then rector of the San Pio X Major Seminary (2002-2003), vice rector of the same seminary (2006-2008), head of university pastoral care with services at the Cathedral of Istmina (2009-2010), and parish priest of San Pablo Apóstol Cathedral in Istmina (2011-2018). Since 2018 he has served as vicar general, exorcist, moderator of the Curia, and delegate for priestly pastoral care and the ongoing formation of the clergy. Since 2024 he has been parish priest of Santo Spirito in Istmina.