Bishop João Mamede Filho

João Mamede Filho, O.F.M. Conv., was born in Caçapava, in the Diocese of Taubaté (State of São Paulo), on August 21, 1951. A religious of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, he made his solemn profession on February 20, 1974. He pursued his philosophy studies at the FAI (*Faculdades Associadas do Ipiranga*) in São Paulo, and his theology studies first at the "São Bento" Monastery in Rio de Janeiro and later at the "Nossa Senhora da Assunção" Faculty in the Archdiocese of São Paulo. He was ordained a priest on April 21, 1978, and subsequently served in the following roles: Director of the "Obra Social Cidade dos Meninos" in Santo André (1978); Parochial Vicar of the "Exaltação da Santa Cruz" parish in the Diocese of Caraguatatuba (1979); Parish Priest of the "Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes" parish in the Diocese of Toledo (1980–1982); Rector of the "Casa Dom Romero" Seminary in Santo André (1983–1985) and the "Casa São Francisco" Seminary in Curitiba (1986–1988); Director of the magazine *Mensageiro de Santo Antônio* (1989–1998); Provincial Bursar (1989–2005); Parochial Vicar of the "São Maximiliano Kolbe" parish in the Diocese of Mogi das Cruzes (2000–2006); and Rector of the "Casa São Francisco" Philosophy Seminary in Curitiba, in the State of Paraná (2006). On April 26, 2006, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Acque Albe di Mauritania and Auxiliary Bishop of São Paulo, receiving episcopal ordination on July 1 of that same year.