Bishop Antônio Carlos Félix

Antônio Carlos Félix was born in Caldas, Minas Gerais, on December 5, 1957. He was baptized at the Parish Church of Our Lady of Patronage (*Nossa Senhora do Patrocínio*) by Friar Belchior Milazzo on December 8, 1957, and confirmed by Dom Oscar de Oliveira—Archbishop of Mariana and Apostolic Administrator of Pouso Alegre—on October 12, 1958. He received the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion for the first time from Monsignor Alderigi Maria Torriani at the Sanctuary of Saint Rita of Caldas when he was six years old. He completed his early education in his hometown between 1964 and 1974. In 1975, he took a correspondence course for secondary education equivalency (*Supletivo do 2º Grau*) through the Instituto Universal Brasileiro in São Paulo; however, he was only able to sit for the final exams in July 1978 and July 1979 at the São Domingos School in Poços de Caldas, passing all subjects. From 1980 to 1982, he studied Philosophy at the Pouso Alegre Archdiocesan Seminary. From 1983 to 1986, he studied Theology at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Theological Institute (run by the Dehonian Fathers) in Taubaté. Dom José D’Ângelo Neto, Archbishop of Pouso Alegre, ordained him a deacon on January 11, 1986, at the Sanctuary of Córrego do Bom Jesus, and a priest on December 20, 1986, at the Parish Church of Our Lady of Patronage in Caldas. In 1987, he served as a parochial vicar at Saint Francis of Paola Parish in Ouro Fino and Our Lady of Mercy (*Nossa Senhora da Piedade*) Parish in Crisólia. From 1988 to 1996, he served as Rector of the Minor Seminary, a professor in the Philosophy program, and Spiritual Director at the Pouso Alegre Archdiocesan Seminary. In 1992 and 1993, he studied in São Paulo, where he earned a Licentiate degree in Philosophy from the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters of the *Faculdades Associadas do Ipiranga* and a *Lato Sensu* postgraduate specialization in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Faculty of Theology of Our Lady of the Assumption (*Nossa Senhora da Assunção*). From 1996 to 2000, he served as Rector of the Pouso Alegre Archdiocesan Seminary, as well as a professor of theology and a promoter of vocations. From 2000 to 2003, he was the parish priest of Saint Christopher Parish, a theology professor, and the spiritual director at the Archdiocesan Seminary, all in Pouso Alegre. Dom Félix was appointed bishop of the vacant Diocese of Luz by Pope John Paul II on February 5, 2003; he was ordained a bishop in Pouso Alegre on May 4, 2003, and took office as Bishop of Luz on May 18, 2003. From May 18, 2003, to May 18, 2014, he served as Bishop of Luz (MG) and as a professor for the propaedeutic and philosophy courses at the Luz Diocesan Seminary. From June 2007 to July 2011, he was the Episcopal Secretary and a member of the Commission for Ordained Ministries and Consecrated Life for the East II Region. He served as the reference bishop for the *Pastoral da Criança* (Children's Pastoral) in the state of Minas Gerais for eight years, from 2011 to 2019. In 2011, he participated in his first *ad Limina Apostolorum* visit in Rome, meeting personally with Pope Benedict XVI and visiting the principal Dicasteries. Since May 18, 2014, Dom Félix has served as the Bishop of Governador Valadares (MG). Shield: The coat of arms is divided into four fields. Insignia: A green prelatial hat with three rows of tassels and a golden processional cross. Motto: "Let us serve without fear" (Lk 1:74). Message of the coat of arms: In the red field, there is a cross surmounted by a crozier and a lamb, both in gold. The cross surmounted by the crozier represents Christ the Shepherd who, out of love, served by laying down his life for all (cf. Jn 10:11). The lamb represents the people of God who, thirsting, look "upon Him whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37). Here the bishop's mission is grounded. On the blue field appear the star and the Bible, both in silver. The star symbolizes the Virgin Mary—the first to believe in the Word of God (represented by the Bible) and to serve it in the person of the Incarnate Word. Mary, Star of Evangelization, is a special protectress and model for the bishop in the faithful discharge of his ministry. The motto "Let us serve without fear" seeks to guide the life of the new Bishop and his people so that, following the example of Christ the Shepherd and the Virgin Mary—who dedicated themselves to proclaiming the Kingdom of God—all may serve without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of their lives (cf. Luke 1:74). Fr. Marcos Romão da Silva – Saint Iphigenia Parish – Santa Efigênia de Minas (MG) Deacon Wander Gomes Lanna Fr. Jairo Sampaio – Our Lady of Fatima Parish – Resplendor (MG) Deacon Adalton Luiz de Oliveira Deacon Gerson Martins Alves Fr. José Neiva Neto – Saint Lucy Parish – Mathias Lobato (MG) Fr. José Ferreira Leão – Our Lady of the Conception Parish – Sobrália (MG) Fr. Paulo Almeida Machado – Saint Sebastian Parish – Capitão Andrade (MG) Deacon Wagner Inácio de Souza Fr. Plácido Atílio França Quixabeira – Divine Holy Spirit Parish – Divino das Laranjeiras (MG) Fr. Matosinho de Souza Oliveira – Saint Anthony Parish – Sardoá (MG) Deacon Antônio Francisco Cordeiro Friar Antônio Caixeta de Carvalho – Capuchin – Saint Rita Sanctuary Parish (GV) Fr. Schneider Gomes da Silva – Saint Helena Parish – Goiabeira (MG).