Bishop Francisco Carlos da Silva

Dom Francisco Carlos da Silva was born in Tabatinga, São Paulo, on September 30, 1955, the son of Manoel Antônio da Silva and Alice Malaquias da Silva, and the third of four siblings. He completed his schooling at the Professor Paulista School Group and the Abdalla Miguel State School (primary and secondary levels), both in Tabatinga. In 1976, he entered the São Carlos Diocesan Major Seminary, where he studied Philosophy (1976–1978). He subsequently moved to Campinas, residing at the Paulo VI Provincial Seminary and studying Theology (1979–1982) at the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas. He received the Sacrament of Holy Orders—first as a deacon (January 2, 1982) and then as a priest (December 11, 1982)—in his hometown. He served in various roles, including Substitute Vicar (São Carlos Cathedral), Parochial Vicar of Divino Espírito Santo in Itápolis, and Parish Priest of São Sebastião in Itaju and São Sebastião in Borborema. At the pastoral regional level, he served as Coordinator of Pastoral Region IV (Matão), Advisor for Youth Ministry, and Episcopal Vicar. At the diocesan level, he served as Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Monsignor and Vicar General of the Diocese of São Carlos, Director of the Diocesan Archives, and President of the Commission for Cultural Assets; he was a member of the Commission for the Diocese of São Carlos's centenary, the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors, the Pastoral Council, the Episcopal College, and the Representative Commission of Priests for the Campinas Pastoral Sub-region; and he served as a Canon and President of the São Carlos Cathedral Chapter. During the transfer of Dom Joviano de Lima Junior from Bishop of São Carlos to Archbishop of Ribeirão Preto, Canon Francisco Carlos da Silva was elected Diocesan Administrator *sede vacante* (2006–2007), assuming interim leadership of the Diocese of São Carlos. On September 19, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him the third Diocesan Bishop of Ituiutaba (MG); he took office on December 13, 2007, having been ordained a bishop in Borborema on November 22, 2007. Pope Francis transferred him to serve as the eighth Bishop of Lins on September 30, 2015, and he took office on November 27, 2015. In Lins, his initial goal was to listen to the clergy and adopt pastoral norms, such as holding two sessions of the 12th Diocesan Pastoral Assembly to draft the Directory of Sacraments; reviewing and updating the statutes of all councils; holding the 1st Diocesan Synod in three sessions to prepare for the diocese's centenary (2026); legalizing and selling idle assets; restoring the old Episcopal Palace; constructing the Diocesan Curia; renovating the Diocesan Pastoral Center and accounting offices; settling accumulated debts of Rádio Regional Esperança; and supporting the seminarians at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Provincial Seminary in Marília with the help of priests, deacons, laypeople, and parishes. A model of transparency in diocesan governance was adopted. At the CNBB level: within the CNBB East II Region (Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo), he serves as the 1st Alternate Member of the Permanent Council, a member of the Episcopal Pastoral Commission for the Service of Charity, Justice, and Peace, and President of the Supervisory Board of the East II Regional Episcopal Council. In the CNBB South 1 Region (São Paulo), he is the Liaison Bishop for the Sobriety Pastoral Ministry in the state of São Paulo.