Bishop of Beja
Rev. Fr. Fernando Maio de Paiva was born on November 26, 1962, in Oliveira (São Pedro do Sul), in the District and Diocese of Viseu. Before entering the seminary, he earned a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, subsequently working as an independent engineering professional and as a teacher. He pursued studies in philosophy and theology at the São Paulo de Almada Diocesan Seminary, obtaining a degree in Theology from the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Portugal (Lisbon) in 2004. He was ordained a priest on April 10, 2005, and incardinated into the Diocese of Setúbal. In 2013, he obtained a Master's degree in Philosophy of Religion and Religious Phenomenology from the Faculty of Human Sciences at the Catholic University of Portugal. Following his priestly ordination, he was appointed Parochial Vicar of the Nossa Senhora da Anunciada Parish in Setúbal; that same year, he was named Prefect of Studies and Bursar of the São Paulo de Almada Seminary, and in 2014, he was appointed Vice-Rector. In 2017, he was appointed Parish Priest of Nossa Senhora da Anunciada and President of the Nossa Senhora da Anunciada Parish Social Center. He has been responsible for the accompaniment of young priests in the Diocese of Setúbal since 2009. He has served as a board member of the Frei Luís de Sousa Diocesan School since 2012, and as President of the Advisory Commission supporting the Bishop in the management of the Diocesan Clergy Fund since 2018. He has been the Vicar Forane of the Setúbal Vicariate since 2021, a member of the College of Consultors since 2021, and a member of the Presbyteral Council (serving from 2014 to 2017 and again from 2021). He has also been a member of the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons since 2021 and the Delegate for Ongoing Clergy Formation since 2021. On November 13, 2023, he was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Setúbal. Statement by the Permanent Council (March 12, 2024) Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Special Envoy of the Holy Father to the 5th National Eucharistic Congress Firefighters: National chaplain recalls the Águeda mountain range tragedy and calls for more "training, safety, and dignity" June 14, 2026 Vatican: Pope denounces digital prejudice that penalizes the most disadvantaged June 14, 2026 Portugal/Solidarity: "The State does not shut down illegal care homes because it has nowhere to put the people" June 14, 2026.