Bishop of Palmas-Francisco Beltrão
Edgar Xavier Ertl, S.A.C., was born on September 3, 1966, in Nova Prata do Iguaçu, in the Diocese of Palmas-Francisco Beltrão, in the State of Paraná. He completed his studies in philosophy (1988–1992) and theology (1992–1996) at the Institute of Philosophy and Theology of Santa Maria-RS (IFITESMA). He subsequently obtained a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (2001–2003). He made his perpetual profession in the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers) on May 25, 1996, and was ordained a priest on December 29, 1996. Initially, he exercised his priestly ministry in parishes entrusted to his religious community in Colorado d’Oeste (Rondônia) and later in Campo Grande (Mato Grosso do Sul) (1996–2000). After his studies in Rome, he returned to Santa Maria (Rio Grande do Sul), where he served as Formator and Rector of the *Colégio Máximo Palotino* (2004–2010), Professor of Theology at the *Faculdade Palotina* (FAPAS) (2004–2010), Vice-Provincial of the Province of *Nossa Senhora Conquistadora* (2011–2014), and Provincial Superior of the same province (since 2014).