Archbishop of Fortaleza
Gregório (Leozírio) Paixão Neto, O.S.B., was born on November 3, 1964, in Aracaju, in the archdiocese of the same name, in the State of Sergipe. He completed his preparatory studies at the *Colégio Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora* in Aracaju and his studies in Philosophy and Theology at the Benedictine Institute of Theology in Rio de Janeiro, which is affiliated with the Pontifical Atheneum of Saint Anselm in Rome. He pursued advanced studies in Anthropology at the Free University of Amsterdam and took piano and organ courses at the Institute of Music of the Catholic University of São Salvador. He made his religious profession on December 7, 1986, and was ordained a priest on March 21, 1993. Within the Benedictine Order, he served in the following roles: Bursar and Administrator of the Monastery, Novice Master, Prior of the Monastery, and Director of the *Colégio São Bento*. Furthermore, he was a visiting professor at the Free University of Amsterdam (1998–2006), a professor at the *Instituto Teológico São Bento*, and an economic consultant for the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia (2000–2006). On June 7, 2006, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Fico and Auxiliary Bishop of São Salvador da Bahia, receiving episcopal ordination on July 29 of that same year. Since 2007, he has served as Secretary of the *Nordeste 3* Regional Episcopal Conference. He is the author of numerous publications on Benedictine spirituality.