Bishop of Franca
Bishop Paulo Roberto Beloto, Bishop of Franca, São Paulo, Brazil, was born on 9 April 1957 in Adamantina, in the Diocese of Marília. He attended first- and second-level studies in Adamantina. For philosophy he attended Seminário Bom Jesus in Aparecida, and for theology the Faculdade Nossa Senhora da Assunção in São Paulo, where he obtained a licentiate in theology and completed biblical studies. He also followed courses in spirituality at the Carmelite seminary in São Roque. He was ordained a priest on 29 June 1986 for the Diocese of Marília. He then held the following offices: parochial vicar of several parishes of the Diocese of Marília; director of studies of the Instituto Teológico Rainha dos Apóstolos from 1993 to 1994 and in 2004; pastor of São Miguel Arcanjo Parish from 1993 to 2000; rector of the propaedeutic seminary from 2001 to 2003; professor of theology and spirituality; member of the pastoral council; member of the formation council; head of the group of consecrated lay people; and spiritual director of the major seminary in Marília. On 16 November 2005 he was appointed Bishop of Formosa, in the State of Goiás, and he received episcopal ordination on 4 February 2006. Since 2011 he has been a member of the fiscal council of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference.