Archbishop Francisco Carlos Bach

Archbishop Francisco Carlos Bach was born on 4 May 1954 in Ponta Grossa, in the diocese of the same name, in the State of Paraná. He completed his secondary studies in Ponta Grossa at the São José minor seminary, his philosophy studies at the Rainha dos Apóstolos major seminary in Curitiba, identified in the 2017 English source as 1972-1973, and his theology studies at the Studium Theologicum in Curitiba, identified in the 2017 English source as 1974-1977. He obtained a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, with the 2017 English source giving the years as 1985-1987. On 3 December 1977 he received priestly ordination and was incardinated in the Diocese of Ponta Grossa. In the Diocese of Ponta Grossa he carried out the following ministries and offices: bursar and professor at São José Seminary from 1978 to 1983; parish priest of São Jorge Parish from 1978 to 1980; diocesan pastoral coordinator from 1980 to 1985; parish vicar of the Cathedral from 1980 to 1981; parish vicar of São Sebastião Parish from 1981 to 1983; bursar, formator, and professor at the Mater Ecclesiae Institute of Philosophy and Theology (IFITEME) from 1983 to 1985; parish vicar of the Cathedral from 1983 to 1984; professor at IFITEME from 1987 to 1995; judge auditor of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal from 1987 to 1995; rector of the major seminary and the minor seminary in 1991; diocesan bursar from 1991 to 2005; director of Sant'Ana diocesan radio from 1995 to 2005; member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors; diocesan administrator from 1997 to 1998 and from 2002 to 2003; and vicar general from 2004 to 2005. On 27 July 2005 he was appointed Bishop of Toledo and received episcopal ordination on the following 27 October. On 3 October 2012 he was transferred to the Diocese of São José dos Pinhais. On 19 April 2017 he was appointed Bishop of Joinville. The latest Vatican source identifies him as Archbishop-elect in connection with Joinville's metropolitan appointment. Within the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (NCBB), also referred to in the official sources as the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops, he has served as a member of the Commission for Ecclesiastical Tribunals of the Second Instance, Secretary of NCBB Region Sul 2, president of NCBB Region Sul 4, member of the Presidency of the Regional Episcopal Conference "Sul 2", and regional head for Health Pastoral Care.