Bishop of Sobral
José Luiz Gomes de Vasconcelos was born on May 12, 1963, in Garanhuns (Pernambuco) and was ordained a priest on December 9, 1989. He began his philosophical studies at the *Seminário do Regional Nordeste II* and the *Instituto Teologico do Recife*, in the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife. He completed his philosophy and theology studies at the *Faculdade Nossa Senhora da Assunção* in São Paulo (1985–1988). He obtained a Licentiate in Patristic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (2005–2008). During his ministry, he held the following positions in the Diocese of Garanhuns: Parochial Vicar of the *Nossa Senhora da Conceição* parish in Águas Belas and the *Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens* parish in Itaíba (1990–2000); Parish Priest of the *Senhor Bom Jesus dos Pobres Aflitos* parish in São Bento do Una (2000–2005); Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator (2002–2005); member of the formation team at the Interdiocesan Seminary (2008–2012); and Rector of the *Nossa Senhora das Dores* Interdiocesan Major Seminary in the Diocese of Caruaru, as well as being responsible for the organization of seminaries and philosophical-theological institutes for the *Regional Nordeste 2* of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference (2008–2012). On March 21, 2012, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Canapio and Auxiliary Bishop of Fortaleza, receiving episcopal ordination on June 11 of that year. On February 1, 2015, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Sobral. Father José Luiz Gomes de Vasconcelos was born on May 12, 1963, in Garanhuns (Pernambuco) and was ordained a priest on December 9, 1989. He began his philosophical studies at the *Seminário do Regional Nordeste II* and the *Instituto Teologico do Recife*, in the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife. He completed his studies in philosophy and the full theology curriculum at the Nossa Senhora da Assunção Faculty in São Paulo. He also obtained a Licentiate in Patristic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and attended a course for formators in Rome. During his ministry, he has held the following positions: Parochial Vicar of the Nossa Senhora da Conceição parish in Águas Belas and the Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens parish in Itaíba, in the Diocese of Garanhuns (1990–2000); Parish Priest of the Senhor Bom Jesus dos Pobres Aflitos parish in São Bento do Una, Diocese of Garanhuns (2000–2005); Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator in Garanhuns (2002–2005); member of the formation team at the Interdiocesan Seminary (since 2008); and member of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Garanhuns. He is currently the Rector of the Nossa Senhora das Dores Interdiocesan Major Seminary in the Diocese of Caruaru and is responsible for the Organization of Seminaries and Philosophical-Theological Institutes of Brazil within the Northeast 2 Region of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference.