Archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia
Msgr. Sérgio da Rocha, archbishop of Brasilia, Brazil was born in Dobrada, diocese of Jaboticabal in the State of São Paulo in 1959. He attended courses in philosophy at the diocesan seminary of São Carlos and theology at the Theological Institute of Campinas. He obtained a licentiate in moral theology at the Nossa Senhora da Assunção Theological Faculty in São Paulo, and a doctorate in the same discipline at the St. Alphonsus Academy in Rome. He was ordained a priest 1984 in Matão, diocese of São Carlos. As a priest he exercised the following ministries: parish priest in Água Vermelha and coordinator of youth pastoral ministry in São Carlos (1985-1986); professor of philosophy at the diocesan seminary and spiritual director of the House of Theology in Campinas (1986-1987 and 1991); rector of São Carlos Philosophy Seminar (1987-1988 and 1990); diocesan coordinator of vocations (1987 and 1989); parish vicar of the Cathedral of São Carlos (1988-1989); vicar of the parish of Nossa Senhora de Fátima in São Carlos (1990); diocesan coordinator of pastoral ministry, and rector of the São Judas Tadeu Chapel in São Carlos (1991); professor of moral theology at the PUC of Campinas and rector of the diocesan theological seminary (1997-2001); member of the team for the formation of permanent deacons; and member of the council of presbyters and the college of consultors. In 2001 he was elected titular bishop of Alba and appointed auxiliary of Fortaleza. He received his episcopal consecration on 11 August. He was appointed coadjutor bishop in 2007 and became archbishop the following year. In 2011 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him metropolitan archbishop of Brasilia. Since April 2015 he has been president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, in which he had previously held numerous positions, including member of the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine; member of the Episcopal Commission of the Mutirão de Superação da Miséria e da Fome; regional secretary and director of youth and vocational ministry for the region Nordeste 1; member of the permanent council and the Commission of the Doctrine; and chairman of the region Nordeste 1. He was also president of the Department of Vocations and Ministries of CELAM, the Latin American Episcopal Council. He took part in the Synod of Bishops in October 2015 on the family.