Archbishop of Santa Maria
Leomar Antônio Brustolin is Archbishop of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Leomar Antônio Brustolin was born on 15 August 1967 in Caxias do Sul, in the diocese of the same name, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. He completed studies in philosophy at the University of Caxias do Sul, RS, from 1984 to 1986, and theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, RS, from 1987 to 1990. He deepened his theological studies, obtaining a licentiate in systematic theology at the Jesuit Faculty, FAJE, in Belo Horizonte, MG, from 1991 to 1993, and a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome from 1997 to 2000. On 20 December 1992 he received priestly ordination and was incardinated in the Diocese of Caxias do Sul. In that diocese he was parochial vicar of the Cathedral of Caxias do Sul and then parish priest of the Cathedral of Santa Teresa d'Avila in Caxias do Sul from 2001; director of the theology center; and director of the theology course for lay people. He was also professor of theology and coordinator of the licentiate course in theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, based in Porto Alegre. On 7 January 2015 he was appointed titular Bishop of Tigava and Auxiliary Bishop of Porto Alegre, receiving episcopal ordination on the following 25 March. Within the Brazilian Episcopal Conference he is a member of the Episcopal Pastoral Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith.