Bishop of Caruaru
José Ruy Gonçalves Lopes, O.F.M. Cap., was born on August 6, 1967, in Feira de Santana, in the archdiocese of the same name, in the State of Bahia. He professed religious vows in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin on January 10, 1988, and was ordained a priest on December 5, 1993, in Feira de Santana. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Salvador da Bahia. He subsequently pursued a specialization course in theology at the Nossa Senhora da Assunção Theological Faculty of the Archdiocese of São Paulo. Within his Order, he has held numerous positions, including: Novice Master, Bursar, Provincial Councilor, Provincial Minister, Vice-President of the Capuchin Conference of Brazil, and member of the Order's International Team for Initial Formation. In the Archdiocese of Feira de Santana, he has served as parochial vicar, parish administrator, rector of a chaplaincy, chaplain of a leprosarium, and member of the Presbyteral Council. He is currently the Director of the Santo Antônio School, a parochial vicar, and a professor of moral theology in the Archdiocese of Feira de Santana.