Bishop Luis Manuel ALI HERRERA
Colombia
Secretary, Psychologist
Bishop Alí Herrera was the director of the Psychological Orientation Area at the Conciliar Seminary of the Archdiocese of Bogotá (2007 – 2015), where he also taught psychology of human development, social psychology, and pastoral psychology.
He was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 1967, and attended the Conciliar Seminary of Bogotá being ordained to the priesthood in 1992.
After graduating in theology from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana of Bogotá (2003) he obtained a degree in psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome (2007). He is former senior associate of the Colegio Colombiano de Psicólogos (Colombian School of Psychologists).
In 2015, Pope Francis nominated him Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bogotá, and Titular Bishop of Giubalziana. His episcopal consecration took place in Bogotá cathedral on 12 December 2015.
In 2022, he was appointed Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Colombia.
In 2022, Pope Francis reappointed him a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Pope Francis nominated Bishop Alí Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in 2024.
Commission Secretary Mons. Alí Herrera Sheds Light on Latin America Memoranda of understanding
VATICAN CITY — The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is expanding its cooperation with episcopal conferences and regional Church organisations across Latin America to help local Churches develop sustainable safeguarding structures. Earlier this month,...
REPARA: Learning from the Magisterium of Survivors
During a visit to REPARA on 19 September, Bishop Alí Herrera, Secretary and Juan Carlos Cruz, member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, met Lidia Troya, Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Madrid's centre for the support of people affected by...
Bishop Alí: An abuse facilitated, amplified or generated through technological means is a real abuse, with real victims and real suffering.
Madrid, 18 September 2026 - The growing impact of artificial intelligence on the lives of children and young people was at the centre of discussions during the IX Encuentro de Oficinas de Protección de Menores, (September 18 – 19) organised by the Spanish Bishops'...
Safeguarding at the Heart of Governance: Commission Joins CASILEP Conference in Nairobi
NAIROBI — The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors contributed to a continental gathering of Catholic religious working in canon and civil law in Nairobi, highlighting the relationship between safeguarding, governance and the protection of human dignity...
Commission Contributes to 2027 Brazilian Church Lenten Campaign on the care of children
ROME - The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has contributed to preparations for the Catholic Church in Brazil’s 2027 Lenten Campaign, which will focus on the theme “Fraternity and the Care of Children.” The National Conference of the Bishops of...
A Road that Still Holds After the Rains
During a visit to the AMECEA Secretariat in Nairobi, Commission Secretary Bishop Alí Herrera reflected on a local saying that captured the essence of safeguarding: a road is judged not by how straight it runs, but by how many people can still walk it after the rains...
“A Culture of Protection Is Never Built in a Single Season”: Commission Visits Tangaza University
“Prevention that begins after ordination begins late. Prevention that begins in formation shapes a person before the habits of authority have hardened.” — Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera NAIROBI, Kenya (July 28, 2026) — Bishop Luis...
From Definitions to Relationships: Rethinking Safeguarding in the Italian Church
ROME — Safeguarding leaders from across Italy gathered in Rome today for a national meeting focused on strengthening protection for minors and people in vulnerable situations, as Church officials and experts called for a shift from procedural frameworks to a...
Commission strengthens safeguarding partnerships in Latin America following Bogotá meetings
BOGOTÁ — The Commission has advanced its collaboration with key Church bodies in Latin America following a series of meetings in Bogotá aimed at strengthening safeguarding practices and promoting a Culture of Care across the region. A delegation from the Commission,...
Pope Leo XIV opens Commission plenary with call to deepen safeguarding culture
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Monday opened the Plenary Assembly of the Commission, encouraging its members to continue strengthening a culture of safeguarding across the life of the Church. Receiving the Commission in audience at the Apostolic Palace, the Pope...
Bishop Ali on The Year Ahead and the Long-haul of Culture Change
The latest episode of the Commission’s Inside Safeguarding Podcast is an extended conversation with Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Bishop Luis Manuel Ali Herrera, a figure recognised for clear teaching on the pastoral imperative...
Bishop Ali in Malta: Safeguarding is an act of evangelization, not administration
BIRKIRKARA, Malta — Commission secretary Mon. Luis Manuel Alí Herrera opened Malta’s national safeguarding conference on Thursday by urging Church and civil institutions to work more closely together in order to build what he called a “Community of Protection”. ...
Commission unites with Philippine Bishops and Religious in first National Safeguarding Conference
ANGELES CITY, Philippines — With the theme “Our Mission of Safeguarding: A Journey of Hope and Compassion,” the National Safeguarding Conference 2025 convened in Angeles City, Central Luzon bringing together bishops, clergy, religious leaders, lay experts, and...
President Verny Presents Commission’s Second Annual Report to Pope Leo XIV
VATICAN CITY - Archbishop Thibault Verny was received in audience by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Fraiday September 12th, marking the first official meeting between the President of the Commission and the Holy Father, following his appointment on July 15. Monsignor...
Commemorating our founding father Pope Francis
VATICAN CITY — Today, the Commission joins the global Catholic community in mourning the loss of our founding father. Pope Francis will be remembered not only as a steadfast spiritual leader, but as the architect of a historic cultural shift within the Church—placing...
A Pilgrimage of Reparation and Hope
Marking the Jubilee Year, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors made a Pilgrimage of Reparation and Hope on the eve of Holy Week carrying with them, as they crossed the Holy Door, the prayers and testimonies of everyone who has reached out to the...