Bishop of Miracema do Tocantins
Philip Dickmans was born on January 4, 1963, in the town of Herk-de-Stad, in the Diocese of Hasselt (Belgium). He completed his primary and secondary education in Tirlemont, Belgium. After completing a year of military service as a non-commissioned officer, he entered the Major Seminary of Hasselt, where he studied philosophy and theology (1982–1990). He gained a year of parish experience within the diocese and also undertook a missionary assignment in Rwanda (Africa). Ordained a priest for his diocese on April 30, 1990, he served as a parochial vicar in Genk from 1990 to 1996; during this period, he attended the School of Priestly Spirituality of the Focolare Movement in Loppiano (Italy). In 1996, he went to the Archdiocese of Palmas (Brazil) as a *fidei donum* priest, where he carried out the following ministries: Parish Administrator of Jesus de Nazaré Parish; Parish Priest of Cristo Rei Parish; and Administrator of the parishes of Imaculata Conceição in São Félix do Tocantins and Divino Espírito Santo in Mateiros, within the Archdiocese of Palmas. He currently serves as Episcopal Vicar, Assistant for Indigenous Pastoral Care, and is a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors.