Archbishop of São José do Rio Preto
Archbishop-elect Antônio Emídio Vilar, S.D.B., was born on 14 November 1957 in Guardinha, diocese of Guaxupé, in the State of Minas Gerais. He carried out his studies in philosophy at the Salesian Faculty of Lorena-SP, and obtained a bachelor’s degree and a licentiate in theology from the Salesian Pontifical University of Rome. After giving his religious vows in the Salesian Society of Saint John Bosco in 1976, he received priestly ordination on 9 August 1986. He has held the following offices: coordinator of studies and formator of seminarians, community director, coordinator and professor of the Instituto Teológico Pio XI in São Paulo-SP, advisor to the Inspetoria Salesiana of São Paulo-SP, master of novices, parish priest of Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora and director of the Instituto Dom Bosco in São Paulo-SP, judge of the Interdiocesan Tribunal of Aparecida-SP, member of the Presbyteral Council of the diocese of São Carlos. Within the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, he has served as vice president of the Oeste 2 Region and member of the Episcopal Commission for Youth. On 23 July 2008 he was appointed bishop of São Luiz de Cáceres and received episcopal ordination on the following 27 September. On 28 September 2016 he was appointed bishop of São João da Boa Vista and on 19 January 2022 he was transferred to the diocese of São José do Rio Preto.