Archbishop of Calabozo
Manuel Felipe Díaz Sánchez was born in Araure, in the State of Portuguesa (Diocese of Guanare), on March 5, 1955. He pursued his studies in philosophy and theology at the "Santa Rosa de Lima" Major Seminary in Caracas. He obtained a Baccalaureate in Theology from the Pontifical Javerian University in Bogotá, Colombia, and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Barquisimeto on July 14, 1979, he held the following positions: formator at the Interdiocesan Seminary of Caracas; parish priest of "El Sagrario," the Cathedral, "San Jorge," and "Cristo Rey" in Barquisimeto; professor at the "Divina Pastora" Seminary in Barquisimeto; Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese; and Under-Secretary of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference. Elected Titular Bishop of Sitifi and Auxiliary Bishop of Cumaná on February 27, 1997, he was consecrated on May 24 of that year. He was appointed the first Bishop of Carúpano on April 4, 2000.