Archbishop of Londrina
Geremias Steinmetz was born on February 26, 1965, in Sulina, in the Diocese of Palmas-Francisco Beltrão, in the State of Paraná. After completing his secondary studies at the São João Maria Vianey Seminary in Palmas (PR), he pursued philosophical studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in Palmas and theological studies at the Theological Institute of Santa Catarina (ITESC) in Florianópolis (SC). He subsequently obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy from the Pontifical Atheneum of Saint Anselm in Rome (1995–1997). He was ordained a priest on February 9, 1991, and incardinated into the Diocese of Palmas-Francisco Beltrão, where he held the following positions: Parochial Vicar of the Senhor Bom Jesus Cathedral (1991–1993); Parish Priest of Nossa Senhora Aparecida in Palmas (1993–1995) and of Cristo Rei in Francisco Beltrão (1998–2001); and Rector of the Diocesan Seminary of Philosophy (2002–2006). From 2006 to 2010, he served as Vicar General, a member of the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council, and Coordinator of Evangelization Efforts. Additionally, he was a professor at the Institute of Theology of the Archdiocese of Cascavel (1999–2010). On January 5, 2011, he was appointed Bishop of Paranavaí, and he received episcopal ordination on March 25 of that same year. Within the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, he is a member of the Permanent Council and Vice-President of the South 2 Region (State of Paraná).