Archbishop of Sorocaba
Bishop José Roberto Fortes Palau was born on 9 April 1965 in Jacareí, diocese of São José dos Campos, in the State of São Paulo. After studying philosophy at the Instituto de Teologia e Filosofia Santa Teresinha in São José dos Campos-SP and theology at the Faculdade Dehoniana in Taubaté-SP, he was awarded a licentiate in spiritual theology at the Pontifical Theological Faculty “Teresianum” in Rome, and a doctorate in theology at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. He was ordained a priest on 6 February 1993, and incardinated in the diocese of São José dos Campos. He has held the following offices: parish vicar of Sant’Ana e di São Bento in São José dos Campos-SP; parish priest of São José in São José dos Campos-SP; Presbyteral Pastoral Coordinator; rector of the Theology Seminary; director of the Diaconal School; director and professor of the Faculdade Católica de São José dos Campos; member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors; vicar general; professor of spiritual theology at the Faculdade Dehoniana in Taubaté-SP. On 30 April 2014 he was appointed titular bishop of Acufida and auxiliary of the metropolitan archdiocese of São Paulo, and received episcopal ordination the following 21 June. On 20 November 2019 he was appointed bishop of Limeira.