Interview with Monsignor José Mario Bacci
Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Marta (Colombia)
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Monsignor José Mario Bacci
Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Marta, the historic cradle of evangelization in Colombia
Born on March 19, 1971, in Magangué (Bolívar), son of Eddie Ernesto Bacci Vecchio and Inés Isabel Trespalacios Posada, he grew up in a Christian family together with his three siblings: Paulo Ernesto, Rodolfo, and Mónica Inés. His childhood and adolescence were deeply marked by faith and a strong attachment to his homeland. He recalls with special emotion his First Communion, celebrated on Holy Thursday, April 8, 1982, an experience that marked the beginning of a profound journey of faith and a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
He completed his primary studies at Marco Fidel Suárez School and his secondary education at the Instituto Técnico Cultural Diocesano. Encouraged by the vocational initiatives of the Diocese of Magangué and guided by Monsignor José Lecuona, he entered the Major Seminary San Carlos Borromeo in Cartagena, where he studied Philosophy (1988–1990). In 1991, he was admitted into the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, the Eudists, completing his theological studies at the Valmaría Seminary in Bogotá and at the Pontifical Javeriana University. On August 19, 1995, he was incorporated into the Congregation and ordained a deacon; later that same year, on December 17, he was ordained a priest.
His ministry has been dedicated primarily to the formation of future priests in various countries of Latin America, along with advanced studies in Rome and Jerusalem. He has served as rector of several seminaries, Provincial Superior of the Eudists in Colombia, and, finally, was appointed by Pope Francis as Bishop of Santa Marta on November 19, 2021, formally taking office on January 25, 2022.
Monsignor, Santa Marta is preparing to commemorate 500 years of the Church’s presence in Colombia. What personal and pastoral meaning does it hold for you to guide this diocese at such a historically significant spiritual and cultural moment?
For me, it is an immense grace and a profound responsibility. To shepherd this particular Church at such a decisive moment means recognizing the value of those who planted the seed of faith five centuries ago, while at the same time projecting hope toward the future. Pastorally, it is a call to renew our evangelizing mission with both creativity and fidelity, showing that the Church remains alive in the heart of the people of Santa Marta.
The official statement highlights that the Church wishes to continue walking alongside society as a voice of hope. What do you consider to be the main challenges today in maintaining this close dialogue with the culture and the community of Santa Marta, and by extension, in Colombia?
Today we face complex realities: religious indifference, poverty, social violence, and cultural fragmentation. The great challenge is to engage in dialogue with a plural society without fear, listening to its longings and offering the Gospel as a voice of hope and reconciliation. In Santa Marta, as in all of Colombia, the Church seeks to be a companion on the journey, a promoter of peace, and a defender of human dignity.
You have emphasized that this commemoration is not limited to historical remembrance, but is a process of pastoral renewal. What concrete changes do you expect to arise in the diocese as a result of this Week of Evangelization?
This goes far beyond commemoration. We aspire to a process of pastoral renewal that translates into parishes becoming more missionary, greater formation of lay leaders, and a Church that goes forth to encounter those most in need. The Week of Evangelization must ignite a new fire that drives the entire diocese to bear witness to the faith through concrete works of justice and charity.
The event will feature the participation of international figures such as Monsignor José Ignacio Munilla and Father Juan Carlos Carvajal. What message do you wish to convey by opening the diocese to voices and experiences from other countries?
We have sought to open our doors to voices from other Churches in order to enrich our journey. Monsignor Munilla and Father Carvajal, together with other invited guests, remind us that the Church is universal and that we share common challenges. Through them, we wish to show that Santa Marta engages in dialogue with the world, learns from diverse experiences, and is renewed in communion. We are also accompanied by other experts, priests, and laypeople who, from different fields, contribute their experience to this encounter between Church and Society.
Among the themes of the “Church and Society” Encounter, the historical legacy of five centuries of faith is highlighted. How will the richness of this memory and its spiritual value for the present be passed on to new generations?
The legacy of five centuries is not only history written in books; it is a living heritage that we must share with young people in a language that is close and contemporary. Through pilgrimages, testimonies, artistic expressions, and educational projects, we want to transmit that the faith which arrived 500 years ago continues to be a source of identity, culture, and social commitment.
The program includes a major youth gathering as part of the celebrations. What role do you attribute to young people in the building of a Church that, after 500 years, is still called to be missionary and a living witness?
Young people are protagonists. They are the Church of today, not only of tomorrow. With their digital creativity, their direct language, and their sensitivity to justice and the environment, they inspire us all. This youth gathering will be a seed of hope, so that the young people of Santa Marta may discover that their faith has the power to transform concrete realities.
During the Week of Evangelization, there will be intensive training sessions for parish leaders. What are your expectations regarding the formation of those who carry out pastoral work in the territories, and how will this strengthen the mission in diverse communities?
Those who carry out pastoral work in the territories are the heart of our mission. The training aims to provide them with biblical, liturgical, and social tools to strengthen their service. I hope they will return to their communities with renewed enthusiasm and greater capacity to accompany families, young people, the elderly, and the poor—building parishes that are more vibrant, missionary, and committed.
At the International Encounter, there will be discussions on the challenges of the digital age and artificial intelligence for the life of faith. How do you interpret this dialogue between Christian tradition and new technologies in proclaiming the Gospel?
The dialogue between tradition and technology is a true sign of the times. Artificial intelligence and the digital environment are not enemies; they are new spaces where we are also called to proclaim Christ. The Church faces the challenge of discerning, using, and humanizing these tools so that they do not dehumanize, but rather serve as instruments for encounter, truth, and solidarity.
The Encounter will feature the presence of leading figures in tourism and society, such as Antonio Santos del Valle, President of the Tourism and Society Think Tank—an institution that leads the World Religious Tourism Network under the direction of Pilar Valdés—Luis Alejandro Dávila, Vice President of Tourism at ProColombia, and Óscar Rueda, Vice President of Tourism at CAF. What importance do you attribute to Santa Marta being placed on the global map of religious tourism in this anniversary year?
For Santa Marta to enter the global map of religious tourism is a true blessing. This anniversary places us in dialogue with world-class experts and allows us to showcase our spiritual and cultural richness. Beyond economic benefits, it is about welcoming pilgrims, opening our doors, and sharing the identity of Santa Marta as a living testimony of faith.
During the Closing Congress, you will deliver a keynote address and preside over the final Eucharist. What central message do you wish to convey at this moment, which will gather the People of God in an act of unity and hope?
At the Congress and in the great final Eucharist, I wish to proclaim a message of unity: we are one single People of God, called to live in hope and reconciliation. After 500 years, the Church in Santa Marta seeks to renew its commitment to be a home for all, a space of encounter, and a leaven of peace within society.
Finally, Monsignor, this commemoration seeks to inspire new generations to build a more just and supportive society. From your faith, how do you envision the Church of Santa Marta in the next 50 years, after this half millennium of history?
I dream of a Church in Santa Marta that, 50 years from now, remains faithful to the Gospel and attentive to the signs of the times. A more synodal Church, where lay people, youth, families, and pastors walk together; a more missionary Church, unafraid to go forth to the peripheries; and a more compassionate Church, that amid social and technological change always keeps alive the flame of faith and the commitment to the poor.
The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of Tourism and Society Think Tank and do not commit the Organization, and should not be attributed to TSTT or its members.
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