Archbishop of Natal
Archbishop-elect João Santos Cardoso was born on 3 December 1961 in Dário Meira, diocese of Jequié, in the State of Bahia. He carried out his studies in philosophy at the Seminary of Teófilo Otoni-MG and in theology at the Instituto de Teologia de Ilhéus in Ilhéus-BA. He then obtained a licentiate and a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome. He received priestly ordination on 27 December 1986, and was incardinated in the archdiocese of Vitória da Conquista. He has held the following offices: parish administrator, parish priest, coordinator of the Biblical School and the theology course for the laity; rector of the philosophy seminary; professor of the Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia in Vitória da Conquista-BA; professor and director of the archdiocesan institute of philosophy; member of the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council; regional vicar; representative of priests; and archdiocesan pastoral coordinator. In addition, he has served as parish vicar in Rieti and Blera, Italy. On 14 December 2011 he was appointed bishop of São Raimundo Nonato, and received episcopal formation on 12 February 2012. On 24 June 2015 he was transferred to the diocese of Bom Jesus da Lapa. Within the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, he has served as president of the Region Nordeste 3, which includes the ecclesiastical circumscriptions of the States of Bahia and Sergipe. Sac.