Bishop Vital Chitolina

Vital Chitolina was born on January 3, 1954, in Tuparendi, in the Diocese of Santo Ângelo, State of Rio Grande do Sul. After his initial studies with the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonian Fathers), he pursued philosophy studies at the Faculty of Social Studies in Brusque and theology studies at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Institute in Taubaté. On February 25, 1984, he made his solemn profession as a member of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was ordained a priest on December 16, 1984. During his priestly ministry, he held the following positions: professor and formator at the seminary in Corupá, Diocese of Joinville (1985–1990); parochial vicar of the Porto dos Gaúchos parish, Diocese of Sinop (1991); parish priest of the Novo Horizonte parish, Diocese of Sinop (1992–1995); and parish priest of the "Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Fátima" parish in Lucas do Rio Verde, Diocese of Diamantino (1996–1997). On December 23, 1997, he was appointed the first Bishop-Prelate of the Territorial Prelature of Paranatinga and received episcopal ordination on April 19, 1998.