On 16 December 1992, Castrillón Hoyos was appointed by Pope John Paul II as the head of the Congregation for the Clergy; in this post, he was reponsible for the celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of John Paul II's ordination as a priest.
On 16 December 1992, Castrillón Hoyos was appointed by Pope John Paul II as archibishop of Bucaramanga. On 15 june 1996, he is appointed as deputy of the Congregation for the Clergy; in this capacity, he was responsible for the celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of John Paul II's ordination as a priest.