Dario Castrillon Hoyos Colombian cardinal. Titular bishop Date of Birth: 04.07.1929 Country: Spain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Ordination and Early Ministry
3. Episcopal Ministry
4. Leadership in the Latin American Episcopal Council
5. Cardinalate
6. Later Years

Early Life and Education

Darío Castrillón Hoyos was born in Medellín, Colombia, on July 4, 1929. He received his education at the Antioquia Seminary and the Santa Rosa de Osos Seminary, both in Colombia. He also studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in canon law, and at the University of Louvain in Belgium, where he studied sociology.

Ordination and Early Ministry

On October 26, 1952, Castrillón Hoyos was ordained a priest in Rome. He served as vicar in two rural parishes in Segovia de Yarumal, Colombia. He also held various positions within the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Osos, including director of radio schools.

Episcopal Ministry

On June 2, 1971, Castrillón Hoyos was appointed titular bishop of Villa del Rey and auxiliary bishop of Pereira, Colombia. He was consecrated a bishop on July 18, 1971. He succeeded as Bishop of Pereira on July 1, 1976.

Leadership in the Latin American Episcopal Council

From 1983 to 1987, Castrillón Hoyos served as general secretary of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM). He was elected president of CELAM in 1987 and served until 1991.

Archbishop of Bucaramanga and Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy

On December 16, 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed Castrillón Hoyos as Archbishop of Bucaramanga. He served in this role until June 15, 1996.

On June 15, 1996, Castrillón Hoyos was appointed Pro-Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. In this capacity, he was responsible for the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of John Paul II's priestly ordination.

Cardinalate

On February 21, 1998, Castrillón Hoyos was created a cardinal-deacon by Pope John Paul II. He was Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy from February 23, 1998, to October 31, 2006. He also served as President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei from April 13, 2000.

Cardinals considered him a possible candidate for the papacy during the 2005 papal conclave.

Later Years

After Pope Benedict XVI succeeded John Paul II, Castrillón Hoyos retained his positions in the Roman Curia. He retired as Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy on October 31, 2006, but continued as President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.

On February 23, 2007, Castrillón Hoyos became Cardinal Protodeacon, a role that includes announcing the new pope at a conclave. This appointment was seen as an indication of his continued influence within the Vatican.

On March 1, 2008, Castrillón Hoyos was elevated to the rank of cardinal-priest. He subsequently left the position of Cardinal Protodeacon, which was filled by Cardinal Agostino Cacciavillan.