Bishop Julio César Corniel Amaro

Julio César Corniel Amaro was born in Bodita, Río San Juan, in the province of María Trinidad Sánchez, on September 28, 1958. He pursued his priestly studies at the "Santo Cura de Ars" Minor Seminary in La Vega and the "Santo Tomás de Aquino" Pontifical Seminary in Santo Domingo, where he also obtained a Licentiate in Religious Sciences. He was ordained a priest on June 21, 1986. In his priestly ministry, he served as parochial vicar at the "Madre de la Iglesia" parish and at the "Santa Ana" Cathedral, and as pastor of the "Santísima Trinidad" and "Santiago Apóstol de Arroyo al Medio, Nagua" parishes; he also served as diocesan director of the Youth Ministry commission and of the diocesan Caritas. From 2001 to 2003, he studied Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. He is currently the head of diocesan Social Ministry and a professor at the "Santo Tomás de Aquino" Seminary in Santo Domingo.