Bishop Geovane Luís da Silva

Geovane Luís da Silva was born on June 21, 1971, in Carandaí, in the Archdiocese of Mariana, in the state of Minas Gerais. After completing his studies in philosophy and theology at the São José Major Seminary in Mariana, he obtained a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and subsequently specialized in Culture and Sacred Art at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (MG). He was ordained a priest on June 21, 1997, and incardinated into the Archdiocese of Mariana. He held the following positions: Parochial Vicar of Santa Efigênia in Ouro Preto (MG); Parish Priest of Sagrado Coração de Jesus in Mariana (MG); Formator at the Minor Seminary; Director of the Theology Program at the Major Seminary; Director of the Archdiocesan Museum of Sacred Art; Professor of Sacramental Theology and Liturgy at the Major Seminary; Episcopal Vicar for the Southern Region; Member of the Episcopal Council and the College of Consultors; and Parish Priest of Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Barbacena (MG). On December 21, 2016, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Monte di Numidia and Auxiliary Bishop of Belo Horizonte; he received episcopal ordination on March 25, 2017. He is currently the Secretary for the "Leste 2" (East 2) Region of the CNBB (National Conference of Bishops of Brazil), which encompasses the ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the state of Minas Gerais. He was born in Barbacena on June 21, 1971, the son of José Sabino da Silva and Antônia Ferreira da Silva. He studied philosophy and theology at the Seminary of Mariana, where he received the ministries of Lector (1994) and Acolyte (1995) and was ordained a deacon (1996). He was ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 1997 (in Carandaí). He served in Ouro Preto (1996–1998) as a collaborator and parochial vicar at the Santa Ifigênia Parish. In Mariana (1998–2003; 2006–2011), he served at the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish as parochial vicar, parish administrator, and parish priest. He obtained a Master’s degree (2003–2005) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he studied Dogmatic Theology and presented the thesis: “Sacrosanctum Concilium 59: Elements of Sacramental Theology.” He holds a postgraduate qualification in Baroque Culture and Art from the Federal University of Ouro Preto (2010–2011). He served as a formator, spiritual director, and professor at the seminary (1998–2016), teaching Introduction to Liturgy and the Sacraments, Christian Initiation, Penance and Anointing of the Sick, and Pneumatology. He also served as librarian and academic director of the Theology program (2006–2011). He was involved with the Cultural Foundation of the Archdiocese of Mariana (1999–2016) and headed both the Museum (1999–2003) and the Archdiocesan Commission for Sacred Art (2008–2016). He worked on the beatification processes for the Venerable Dom Viçoso and Isabel Cristina, as well as for the Servant of God Dom Luciano. He coordinated catechesis in the Mariana North region (2002–2003). He served as parish priest of Our Lady of Piedade in Barbacena (2011–2017) and acted as an advisor for Liturgical Pastoral Care in the Mariana North (1998–2001) and South (2011–2013) regions. He served as episcopal vicar (2013–2016) and as a member of the College of Consultors. On December 21, 2016, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte by Pope Francis. His episcopal ordination took place on March 25, 2017 (in Barbacena). On April 5, 2017, he began his ministry and was entrusted with the Nossa Senhora da Piedade Episcopal Region (Belo Horizonte/Center-South, Sabará, Caeté, Taquaraçu de Minas, Nova União, Nova Lima, Raposos, and Rio Acima). He currently oversees the Episcopal Vicariate for Pastoral Action, the Archdiocesan Secretariat for Liturgy, the Ecclesiastical Tribunal/Vicar General’s Office/Chancery, and the Archdiocesan Council of Shrine Rectors. He serves on the Executive Board of the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Council. On June 4, he was elected secretary of the CNBB’s East II Region for the 2019–2023 term. His episcopal motto is drawn from Augustine’s commentary (CXXIII.5) on John 21:12–19: *Sit Amoris Officium, pascere dominicum gregem* | Let tending the Lord's flock be a service of love. Apostolic ministry is born of the love of Christ, the Good Shepherd, and is simultaneously a radiance of that same love, revealed in joyful and generous service to all.