Cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal, C.I.M., Archbishop emeritus of Cartagena (Colombia), was born in Bucaramanga on 29 March 1942. He carried out his priestly studies in philosophy at the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá, and his theological studies at the major seminary of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary in Bogotá. On 17 May 1964, he solemnly professed his vows in his Congregation, and was ordained a priest in Bucamaranga on 17 June 1967.

He obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá. He began his ministry as professor of the major seminary of Santa Rosa de Osos, and was formator of the Eudist Seminary of Valmaría in Bogotá, head of the charitable section of the Eudist Community of “El minuto de Dios” in Bogotá, director of studies of the Theological-Pastoral Institute of CELAM in Medellín, provincial superior of his Congregation in Colombia and, from 1989 to 1991, secretary of the Latin American Confederation of Religious.

On 9 November 1992, he was appointed bishop of Zipaquirá and received episcopal ordination the following 12 December. From 1995 to 1999 he served as secretary general of CELAM and from 1999 to 2003 he was its president. Archbishop Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal has been a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

On 6 February 2004, he was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Cartagena.

On 24 October 2005, he was appointed archbishop of Cartagena, a role in which he served until 25 March 2021.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 27 August 2022, of the Title of S. Dorotea.