Archbishop Roque Paloschi

Born on November 5, 1956, in Progresso, a municipality in Rio Grande do Sul. December 7, 1986 – Ordained a priest in Bagé, RS; 1987–1994 – Served as Parochial Vicar at the Parish of Archangel Gabriel in São Gabriel, RS; 1995–1996 – Served as Parish Priest at Santa Teresinha Parish in Santana do Livramento, RS; 1997–1999 – Served as a missionary for the Church of Rio Grande do Sul (Regional South 3) in the "Solidary Church" project in Mozambique; 2000–2005 – Served as Parish Priest at Nossa Senhora da Luz Parish in Pinheiro Machado, RS; May 18, 2005 – Appointed Bishop of Roraima; July 17, 2005 – Ordained Bishop in Boa Vista, RR; July 17, 2005 – Began his episcopal ministry in Roraima; October 14, 2015 – Appointed Archbishop of Porto Velho, RO, by His Holiness Pope Francis; December 13, 2015 – Canonically assumed the Archdiocese of Porto Velho, RO. The motto "I made myself a servant"—taken from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians ("Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible": 1 Cor 9:19)—demonstrates the Bishop's alignment with the conciliar vision of the episcopate. Christ Jesus, who "did not come to be served but to serve" (Mt 20:28), reveals the meaning of his presence in the world "as one who serves" (Jn 13:1–16; Lk 22:27). The Bishop, a servant of Christ, could not serve Him in his brothers and sisters by taking a path opposite to that of his Master and sole Model. It is in this way, therefore—as a servant rather than a ruler—that he bears witness to and proclaims "the hope that does not disappoint" (Rom 5:5): Christ Jesus, who died on the cross and rose from the dead, the supreme Love of the world. Through the gift of the Spirit, He leads humanity and history to the heart of the Father. The archbishop’s coat of arms references elements of the Amazon region, particularly the Diocese of Roraima, where he was ordained a bishop. The coat of arms features a green outline, signifying the Amazon. It is open and free, like the nature that evokes God’s ministry, His magnitude, and His beauty (Ps 104). The central figure is a fish—the earliest symbol of Christianity—appearing amidst the movement of the waters, the primary expression of Amazonian identity. The bishop serves Christ, the Sun of Justice, represented by the color yellow. By preaching the Gospel, he gathers the community like a fisherman filling his nets, trusting in the Word of the Lord (Lk 5:1-11). The depiction of waves calls to mind the Branco River and the urgent need to "put out into deep water" in the mission of evangelization. This mission must also reach the mountains, represented in the upper section; in both the Old and New Testaments, the mountain appears as a place of prayer, preaching, and the manifestation and presence of God. Likewise, in the "today" of his particular Church, the bishop must ascend the mountain with his people to savor the delights of the Lord’s dwelling place there. The wooden staff, represented by the color brown, was used by ancient shepherds of the East to defend the flock in times of threat and danger. It evokes the liberating mission of Jesus, who does not flee from the wolf but lays down His life for His sheep (Jn 10:1-11). The lower section features the scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel—patroness of Roraima (the diocese where he was ordained bishop) and Star of Evangelization, ever-renewed. In the womb of the Lord’s handmaid (Lk 1:38), "God became flesh, began to be part of a people... Therefore, Mary is the point of union between heaven and earth" (Puebla Document, 301). The bishop entrusts his episcopal ministry to the Mother of the Lord and Mother of the Church, so that the Gospel may become more deeply incarnate—more a part of the people's very hearts.