Bishop of Bom Jesus da Lapa
Bishop Dom Frei Rubival Cabral Britto, O.F.M.Cap., Bishop of Bom Jesus da Lapa, is from Jaguaquara, Bahia, and was born on 21 July 1969, son of Rubens Alves Brito and Maria de Lourdes Cabral Brito. During his youth he was a member of the parish of Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro in Jequié, where he was an altar server and active in the pastoral life of the church, participating in groups such as the Apostleship of Prayer, JUEC, and Pastoral da Criança. In 1989, when he met the Capuchin friars in his native city, he received the call to enter the order, which happened the following year. Thus he began studies to become a religious. Dom Rubival studied philosophy at the Institute of Theology of Ilhéus and studied theology at the Catholic University of Salvador, while also exercising an important pastoral role in the community of the Valéria neighborhood in the capital. The novitiate took place in the city of Esplanada, Bahia, in 1992, where he made his first vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. His priestly ordination took place on 17 December 2000, as a Capuchin Friar Minor of the Province of Nossa Senhora da Piedade of Bahia and Sergipe. One notable moment as a priest was a mission in Benin, Africa. From December 2014 to December 2016, Dom Rubival served as director of Colégio Paulo VI in Vitória da Conquista, until he was appointed Bishop of Grajaú by Pope Francis on 7 December 2016. His episcopal ordination took place on 11 February 2017, by Bishop Luís Gonzaga Silva Pepeu, then Archbishop of Vitória da Conquista, where the rite took place. The motto chosen by him is "At the service of mercy." According to Dom Rubival, this is due to his response when he was called to this mission: a yes motivated by the need to shepherd the people of God with mercy. From 25 March 2017 until March 2024, Dom Frei Rubival was at the head of the diocesan clergy of Grajaú, Maranhão. Since 22 May 2024, he has been the fifth diocesan bishop of Bom Jesus da Lapa.