Apostolic Vicariate of Tierradentro, Colombia 🇨🇴

Continent: South America

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Apostolic Vicariate

Name: Tierradentro / Tierradentroën(sis) (Latin)

Immediately subject to the Holy See

Neighbouring Dioceses: Espinal (↑), Neiva (→), Garzón (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1921.05.13: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Tierradentro / Tierradentroën(sis) (Latin) (from Metropolitan Archdiocese of Popayán)
2000.02.17: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Tierradentro / Tierradentroën(sis) (Latin)

Present Prelates

Vicar Apostolic (2026.05.12 – ...):

Bishop-elect Homero Marín Arboleda, C.M. (66)

Ordinaries

Vicars Apostolic of Tierradentro (Roman Rite)

Bishop-elect Homero Marín Arboleda, C.M. (66)
(2026.05.12 – ...)

Vicar Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia)

Born:	1959.11.17 (Circasia, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:	1987.11.21

Vicar Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia) (2026.05.12 – ...)

Bishop Marco Antonio Merchán Ladino (56)
(Apostolic Administrator 2024.07.29 – 2026.05.12)

Bishop Oscar Augusto Múnera Ochoa (63)
(2015.06.05 – 2024.07.20)

Titular Bishop of Corniculana
Vicar Apostolic emeritus of Tierradentro (Colombia)

Aqui estoy Señor

Born:	1962.05.27 (San Pedro de los Milagros, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:	1988.11.22
Consecrated Bishop:	2015.07.10

Priest of Santa Rosa de Osos (Colombia) (1988.11.22 – 2015.06.05)

Vicar Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia) (2015.06.05 – 2024.07.20)

Titular Bishop of Corniculana (2015.06.05 – ...)

Bishop Edgar Hernando Tirado Mazo, M.X.Y. (87)
(2003.12.19 – 2015.06.05)

Titular Bishop of Zaba
Vicar Apostolic emeritus of Tierradentro (Colombia)

Born:	1939.02.22 (Medellin, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:	1970.11.29
Consecrated Bishop:	2004.03.31

Superior General of Yarumal Society for the Foreign Missions (1996 – 2002)

Vicar Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia) (2003.12.19 – 2015.06.05)

Titular Bishop of Zaba (2003.12.19 – ...)

Bishop Jorge García Isaza, C.M.
(2000.02.17 – 2003.04.25)

Born:	1928.07.02 (Manizales, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:	1954.02.14
Consecrated Bishop:	2000.03.26
Died:	2016.08.16 († 88)

Prefect Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia) (1989.05.05 – 2000.02.17)

Vicar Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia) (2000.02.17 – 2003.04.25)

Titular Bishop of Budua (2000.02.17 – 2016.08.16)

Prefects Apostolic of Tierradentro (Roman Rite)

Fr. Jorge García Isaza, C.M. (later Bishop)
(1989.05.05 – 2000.02.17)

(see above)

Fr. Germán Garcia Isaza, C.M. (later Bishop)
(1977.07.21 – 1988.06.18)

Ora et labora

Born:	1936.09.02 (Manizales, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:	1962.02.11
Consecrated Bishop:	1988.08.03
Died:	2006.10.11 († 70)

Prefect Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia) (1977.07.21 – 1988.06.18)

Bishop of Caldas (Colombia) (1988.06.18 – 2002.03.01)

Bishop of Apartadó (Colombia) (2002.03.01 – 2006.10.11)

Fr. Enrique Alejandro Vallejo Bernal, C.M.
(1950.10.27 – 1977)

Died:

1977

Prefect Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia) (1950.10.27 – 1977)

Fr. Emilio Larquère, C.M.
(1923.11.09 – 1948.07.03)

Born:	1869.05.16 (France)
Ordained Priest:	1895.06.23
Died:	1948.07.03 († 79)

Prefect Apostolic of Arauca (Colombia) (1916.01 – 1923.11.09)

Prefect Apostolic of Tierradentro (Colombia) (1923.11.09 – 1948.07.03)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Catedral San Antonio de Padua, Belalcázar, Cauca
Jubilee Churches in the Holy Year 2025

Espinal (↑), Neiva (→), Garzón (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 2,085 km²

Population: 71,710 Catholics (93.4% of 76,760 total)

Pastoral Centres: 10 parishes

Personnel: 16 priests (13 diocesan, 3 religious), 14 religious (7 brothers, 7 sisters), 4 seminarians