Bishop of Itumbiara
José Aparecido Gonçalves de Almeida was born on July 21, 1960, in the city of Ourinhos (São Paulo). He is incardinated in the Diocese of Santo Amaro, where he was ordained a priest on December 21, 1986. He pursued studies in philosophy at the FAI – "Faculdades Associadas do Ipiranga" in São Paulo (1980–1982) and in theology at the "Faculdade Nossa Senhora da Assunção" in São Paulo (1983–1986). He also obtained a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Athenaeum "Santa Croce." During his priestly ministry, he served as parochial vicar and subsequently as parish administrator of the "Santa Cruz" parish in Parelheiros, Diocese of Santo Amaro (1987–1988); as parish priest of the "Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro" parish in Jardim Prudência, Diocese of Santo Amaro (1988–1990); and as an official in the Secretariat of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts in Rome (from 1994 onwards). He currently holds the office of Under-Secretary at the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.