Archbishop of Baturité
Archbishop Luís Gonzaga Silva Pepeu, O.F.M. Cap., was born on 18 February 1957 in Caruaru, in the diocese of the same name, in the State of Pernambuco. He carried out his studies in philosophy and theology at the Seminary of the Capuchin Friars in Nova Veneza-SP. He was awarded a licentiate and a doctorate in canon law, from the Catholic University of America in Washington, United States of America, and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, respectively. He gave his religious vows in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in 1978, and received priestly ordination on 8 December 1982. He has held the following offices: Master of Novices, vocational promotor, provincial bursar, parish administrator, parish priest, provincial vicar and then minister, director of students of philosophy and theology, president of the Conference of Capuchins of Brazil, guardian of the General Curia of the Capuchins in Rome, and professor of canon law. On 13 June 2001 he was appointed bishop of Afogados da Ingazeira, and received episcopal ordination the following 6 October. On 11 June 2008 he was appointed metropolitan archbishop of Vitória da Conquista, and on 9 October 2019 the Holy Father accepted his resignation. Within the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, he has served as moderator of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Nordeste 2 Region, president of the Nordeste 3 Region, member of the Episcopal Commission for the Brazil-Holy See Agreement, member of the Permanent Council and member of the Episcopal Commission for Ecclesiastical Tribunals of Second Instance.