Luis Rafael Zarama
| The Most Reverend Luis Rafael Zarama | |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta | |
 | |
| Province | Atlanta |
| Diocese | Atlanta |
| Installed | September 29, 2009 |
| Term ended | incumbent |
| Predecessor | none |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | November 27, 1993 |
| Consecration | July 27, 2009 |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 28, 1958 Pasto, Colombia |
| Nationality |
 Colombian American |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Styles of Luis Rafael Zarama | |
|---|---|
.svg.png) | |
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
Luis Rafael Zarama (born November 28, 1958) is a Colombian-American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who serves as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia.
Biography
Early life and education
Luis Zarama was born in Pasto, Nariño, the oldest of the six children of Rafael and Maria Zarama.[1]
Zarama attended the seminary of Pasto and the Universidad Mariana, where he studied philosophy and theology from 1982 to 1987.[2] He began his studies in canon law at the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá in 1987, and earned his licentiate in 1991.
In the mid-1980s and while he attended seminary, Zarama also taught at high schools.[1]
Ordination and ministry
Emigrating to the United States in 1991, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Atlanta on November 27, 1993.[3]
Zarama then served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Atlanta until 1996.[2] From 1996 to 2006, he was administrator of St. Helena Mission in Clayton and pastor of St. Mark Parish in Clarkesville. He became an American citizen on July 4, 2000.
On becoming a US citizen, Zarama is quoted by Rebecca Rakoczy in Catholic Online, stating:
- I'm happy here, I choose to be here, and I feel like I'm part of the system as a citizen.[4]
Within the Court of Appeals of the Ecclesiastical Province of Atlanta, he has been advocate (1993–1997) and defender of the bond (1997–present).[2]
Zarama was named assistant director of the Vocations Office in 2000 and vicar general in 2006.[2] He also has been a member of both the Committee for Continuing Education of Priests since 1996, and the Priest Personnel Board since 2004. In 2007, he was raised to the rank of Chaplain of His Holiness.[2]
In addition to his duties as vicar general, he became judicial vicar in 2008[5] and serves as the Archbishop's delegate to North Georgia's Hispanic community.[6]
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
On July 27, 2009, Zarama was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta, and Titular Bishop of Bararus by Pope Benedict XVI.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on September 29, 2009 from Archbishop Wilton Gregory at the Cathedral of Christ the King.[7]
See also
- Catholic Church by country
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Ecclesiastical Province of Atlanta
- Global organisation of the Catholic Church
- List of Roman Catholic archdioceses (by country and continent)
- List of Roman Catholic dioceses (alphabetical) (including archdioceses)
- List of Roman Catholic dioceses (structured view) (including archdioceses)
- List of the Catholic dioceses of the United States
References
- 1 2 "Father Luis Zarama Named Second Vicar General; Msgr. Paul Reynolds To Pastor St. Brigid Church". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Atlanta Vicar General Named Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 2009-07-27.
- 1 2 "Bishop Luis R. Zarama". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- ↑ Rakoczy, Rebecca. "Priests reflect on becoming citizens". Catholic Online.
- ↑ Nelson, Andrew (2008-09-04). "Msgr. Zarama Named Judicial Vicar". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.
- ↑ Palmo, Rocco. "Joy in Hotlanta". Whispers in the Loggia.
- ↑ "Monsignor Luis R. Zarama Named Auxiliary Bishop For Archdiocese of Atlanta". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.
External links
Episcopal succession
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by – |
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta 2009–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
