Archbishop of Feira de Santana
Zanoni Demettino Castro was born on January 23, 1962, in the city of Vitória da Conquista, within the archdiocese of the same name in the State of Bahia. He studied philosophy at the Archdiocesan Major Seminary of Brasília and theology at the Theological Institute of Ilhéus. Following his priestly ordination, he obtained a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. Ordained a priest on December 28, 1986, he subsequently served in the following roles: Parish Priest of Santo Antônio in Itarantim (1987–1990); Parish Priest of the Cathedral of Vitória da Conquista (1990–1995); Parish Priest of São José in Itapetinga (1998–2007); Vicar Forane (2000–2007); Member of the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council (2002–2007); Vicar General (2002–2007); and Diocesan Administrator of Vitória da Conquista (2007). Additionally, he served as a Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Theological Institute of Ilhéus, a Professor of the Social Doctrine of the Church at the Philosophical Institute of Vitória da Conquista, and President of the Presbyters' Commission for the Northeast-3 Region of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference. He also participated as an invitee in the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate in Aparecida. On October 3, 2007, he was appointed Bishop of São Mateus, receiving episcopal ordination on November 24 of that same year.