Bishop of Canelones
Bishop Heriberto Andrés Bodeant Fernández was born on 15 June 1955 in Young, in the diocese of Salto. He was ordained a priest on 27 September 1986 and incardinated in the same diocese. He was awarded a licentiate in theology from the Université Catholique de Lyon in 1991. After priestly ordination he served first as parish vicar of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, in Fray Bentos (1986-1988), and of San José Obrero, in Paysandú (1989). After his studies in France he held the offices of parish vicar of the Sagrado Corazón parish in Paysandú (1992); professor at the Theological Institute of the Universidad Católica del Uruguay (1992-1999); executive secretary of the Department of Vocations and of Ministries of the Episcopal Conference of Uruguay (1998-2000); director of the Diocesan Catechistic Office of Salto and diocesan supervisor of Catholic Education and University Pastoral Care, as well as member of the presbyteral council and the college of consultors (2000- 2003). On 28 June 2003 he was appointed as titular bishop of Ampora and auxiliary of Salto, and consecrated the following 17 September. On 13 June 2009 he was transferred to the diocese of Melo. In the Episcopal Conference of Uruguay he was president of the Commission for the Laity and head of the National Commission for Youth Pastoral Care.