Bishop of Osório
Dom Jaime Pedro Kohl is a native of Linha Carolina, in what was then the municipality of Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul. He was born on December 12, 1954, the second child of Beno Kohl and Gema Agostini Kohl. He was baptized on December 22, 1954, and received the Sacrament of Confirmation on April 21, 1959. He pursued his studies from 1969 to 1972, completing the *ginasial* course (middle school level) at the Nossa Senhora de Caravaggio Apostolic Seminary in Farroupilha. In 1973, he attended the first year of high school at Colégio Rosário in Porto Alegre. From 1974 to 1975, he continued his high school education at Colégio Nossa Senhora da Glória in Porto Alegre, completing the second and third years. In 1976, he underwent preparation for religious vows—the novitiate—at the Nossa Senhora de Caravaggio Apostolic Seminary in Farroupilha. On February 2, 1977, he made his first vows with the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence and served as an assistant to the seminarians in Farroupilha. From 1978 to 1979, he served as an assistant at the seminary while studying philosophy at the University of Caxias do Sul. From 1980 to 1984, he completed his theological studies at the San Zeno Theological Institute in Verona, Italy. His priestly ordination took place on September 2, 1984, in Poça das Antas, performed by Bishop Dom José Mário Stroeher. From 1984 to 1985, he began a specialization in Moral Theology in Rome. From 1985 to 1986, he served as Rector of the Major Seminary of Uíge in Angola, Africa, and from 1986 to 1987, he completed his Master's degree in Moral Theology at the Alfonsianum in Rome. From 1988 to 1993, he was the Director of the Fr. João Calábria Social Center in Porto Alegre and a Theology professor at PUC-RS. From 1994 to 1996, he served as Novice Master in Farroupilha. 1997–2002 – Provincial Delegate of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence in Brazil. 2003–2006 – Novice Master and pastoral assistant at the Shrine of Our Lady of Caravaggio; instructor in the theology course for the laity. November 15, 2006 – Appointed Diocesan Bishop of Osório by Pope Benedict XVI. February 4, 2007 – Episcopal ordination at St. Peter’s Parish in Poço das Antas. March 11, 2007 – Installation as Diocesan Bishop of Osório. The episcopal coat of arms is an emblem used by the Catholic Church to identify each bishop's personal inspirations regarding his approach to evangelization. The prelatial hat and the staffs represent the Church and the Bishop's apostolic mission as a successor to the apostles, in hierarchical communion with the successor of Peter and the College of Bishops. The light radiating from each element of the staff signifies continuity and the spirit that animates the Church. The juxtaposition of the cross and the crozier indicates configuration to Christ, the Good Shepherd, who inspires his chosen one to, in turn, inspire the people entrusted to him through the duties of teaching, sanctifying, and governing. The shield bears symbols illustrating my program of life and evangelization. These include: The Word of God, prominently placed in the center of the shield alongside the first two letters of Christ’s name and a radiating light, signifying the centrality of Christ and the desire to make the Word—the Word made flesh—the starting point of my evangelizing mission. The yellowish hue represents the earth—the concrete ground upon which the Kingdom is built—as well as the coastal sand marked by the footprints of the many pilgrims who pass through here to renew their strength. The footprints leading toward Christ remind us that only He can fully restore our strength and grant us true peace and the fullness of life. The water droplet evokes not only the sea but also the many rivers and lagoons found within the Diocese. Beyond reminding us of baptism—the source and origin of our Christian life—the shape of a falling droplet creating a series of concentric circles speaks to the dynamics of life and the Kingdom, which expand gradually in silence. The Lily of the Field, leaning toward Christ, primarily signifies my congregational roots and expresses faith and trust in Divine Providence—a spirituality I intend to continue cultivating and sharing. Its inclined posture evokes the wind that constantly caresses our Diocese: a wind that stirs but does not uproot; rather, it strengthens the roots. This wind brings to mind the breath of life—the Spirit who enlivens, consoles, and confirms us in the faith. The episcopal motto *Fiat voluntas tua* ("Thy will be done"), rendered in blue, points to the presence of Mary—who changed the course of human history with her "yes"—and reflects my sincere desire to walk always within God’s will and plan.