The Diocese of Beja announced that D. Fernando Paiva will be ordained bishop on the day 7 July, 17.00, in the diocesan cathedral.
“In addition to the participation of the majority of the Bishops of Portugal, of the Apostolic Nuncio and many members of the clergy of the Dioceses of Setúbal, Beja (and others), A large number of faithful are expected to celebrate this happy event, especially for our Dioceseâ€, indicates the statement from the diocese, also referring to the presence of the President of the Republic.
Fernando Paiva, until now one of the vicars general of the Diocese of Setúbal, was appointed by Pope Francis on 21 March as 15th bishop of the Diocese of Beja, happening I don't charge D. John Mark, who submitted his resignation.
“I have the desire and intention to, as soon as possible, everyone to know. The first times between you will be above all times of listening and getting to know people, of institutions, of situationsâ€, writes the new person in charge, in his greeting to the Alentejo diocese, sent to the ECCLESIA Agency.
The 15th bishop of Beja was, so far, one of the vicars general of the Diocese of Setúbal.
Fernando Paiva was born on 26 November 1962 in Oliveira (São Pedro do Sul), Diocese of Viseu; before entering the seminar, obtained a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, no Higher Technical Institute of Lisbon.
He attended philosophy and theology studies at the Diocesan Seminary of São Paulo de Almada, having obtained a Degree in Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon, in 2004.
Fernando Maio de Paiva was ordained a priest 10 April 2005 by D. Gilberto Canavarro dos Reis; in Setúbal he was parish priest of Nossa Senhora da Anunciada, having been a member of the College of Consultants and the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons; in December 2023 It was named, by D. Americo Aguiar, as vicar general of the Diocese of Setúbal.
Between 2005 and 2017 He performed different functions at the Major Seminary of São Paulo de Almada: first as mayor and bursar and later as vice-rector; he was also responsible for monitoring new priests and for the ongoing training of the clergy.
In 2013 obtained a Master's degree in Philosophy of Religion and Religious Phenomenology, at the Faculty of Human Sciences of the Portuguese Catholic University.
In his first message to the diocese, the new bishop begins by thanking Pope Francis for his “trustâ€, assuming the “surprise†by the appointment.
News: Lidador News/ Ecclesia Agency
