Archbishop of Ribeirão Preto
Moacir Silva was born on July 16, 1954, in São José dos Campos, in the diocese of the same name, in the State of São Paulo. He completed his preparatory studies at the Minor Seminary of Taubaté, his philosophy studies at the Bom Jesus Seminary in Aparecida, and his theology studies at the Sagrado Coração de Jesus Theological Institute in Taubaté. Trained in Canon Law, he obtained a Licentiate from the Pontifical Faculty of Theology *Nossa Senhora da Assunção* in São Paulo and a degree from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. Ordained a priest on December 6, 1986, and incardinated into the Diocese of São José dos Campos, he held the following positions: Diocesan Coordinator of Youth Ministry (1983–1986); Diocesan Coordinator of Healthcare Ministry (1986); Parochial Vicar of the Diocesan Cathedral (1986–1988); Pastor of the *Coração de Jesus* parish (1988–1993); member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors (1991–2003); Diocesan Coordinator of Family Ministry (1993–1999); Parish Administrator of the Diocesan Cathedral (1992–1993); Vicar General of the diocese (1993–2003); Director of the Diaconal School (1992–2004); Judge at the Interdiocesan Tribunal of Aparecida (since 1993); Pastor of the *São Dimas* Diocesan Cathedral (1993–2004); and Diocesan Administrator of São José dos Campos (2003–2004). On October 20, 2004, he was appointed Bishop of São José dos Campos and received episcopal ordination on the following December 11. Since 2008, he has been a member of the National Episcopal Commission for Ecclesiastical Tribunals of Second Instance, and since 2011, he has served as Vice President of the Regional Episcopal Conference of the State of São Paulo.