Bishop of Carolina
Francisco Lima Soares was born on November 21, 1964, in Araguatins, in the State of Tocantins. From 1984 to 1990, he pursued his seminary studies in Philosophy and Theology at the *Instituto de Estudos Superiores do Maranhão* (IESMA) in São Luís do Maranhão. He attended courses in Social and Economic Sciences (2001) at the Catholic University of Paris, where he also obtained a Licentiate degree in Sociology (2003). He later earned a Doctorate in Educational Sciences in Asunción, Paraguay (2012). He was ordained a priest on July 15, 1990, and incardinated into the Diocese of Imperatriz, where he held the following positions: Diocesan Advisor for Youth Ministry (1991–1998); Representative of the Presbyterate (1994–1999); Diocesan Promoter of Vocations; Parish Priest of Menino Jesus de Praga (1991–1999); Director of "TV Anajás" and Head of the "Nossa Senhora Aparecida" Community (2005–2010); Parochial Vicar of "Menino Jesus de Praga" (2010); Professor at the Santa Terezinha Faculty of Education (2010–2017); and Diocesan Administrator of Imperatriz (2017). He is currently the Parish Priest of the Cathedral and the Diocesan Coordinator of Pastoral Ministry.