Diocese of Criciúma

Jacinto Inacio Flach was born on February 26, 1952, in the city of Bom Princípio, Rio Grande do Sul. He is the fifth of nine children born to Maria América Schaidler and José Otacílio Flach, both of whom are deceased. With the priestly motto "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13), Dom Jacinto was ordained a priest on May 7, 1988, in his hometown, through the laying on of hands by Dom Edmundo Knuz at the Parish of Our Lady of the Purification (Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Purificação). After his ordination, he was sent to the city of Estrela (RS) to serve at St. Anthony Parish (Paróquia Santo Antônio), where he remained for two years as a parochial vicar. He then went to the Immaculate Conception Seminary and Parish in Viamão (RS). He served there for five years before undertaking a new mission: furthering his studies with a Master's degree in Spiritual Theology at the Teresianum Institute in Rome, Italy. He stayed there for two years, residing at the Pontifical Brazilian College (Pontifício Colégio Pio Brasileiro), until returning to Brazil in 1997 to assume the role of spiritual director at the Viamão Seminary. On Tuesday, October 28, 2003, he received a request from Pope Benedict XVI to become a bishop. On the 12th of the following month, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Porto Alegre and the Vicariate of Guaíba. Ordained a bishop in February 2004, he chose the episcopal motto "I Proclaim Mercy to You" (*Anuncio-vos a Misericórdia*), taken from the encyclical letter *Dives in Misericordia* by Pope John Paul II. On November 13, 2009, Dom Jacinto began his current mission as Bishop of the Diocese of Criciúma. Episcopal Coat of Arms: Traditionally used by the Catholic Church to identify the evangelizing characteristics of each bishop, Dom Jacinto's coat of arms consists of: a prelatial hat with three rows of tassels, representing the episcopal mission; the Missionary Cross, a sign of salvation and hope that recalls evangelization; and a shield divided into three fields: blue, yellow, and red. Blue—the color and the letter "M" recall Mary, Mother of Mercy; the heart represents God's merciful love. Yellow—the color represents spiritual wealth; the olive branch, peace and hope—the riches of a people. Red—recalls God's merciful love; the shepherd's staff represents the mission to tend the Lord's flock; the ring symbolizes fidelity to the Church of Christ and the dignity of the Prodigal Son returning to the Father's house.