The new bishop of Beja, Fernando Paiva, appointed by Pope Francis, thanked the pontiff for “the trust” placed in him for his new functions, expressing “entire availability” to serve the faithful of his new diocese.
Pope Francis appointed Father Fernando Paiva, current Vicar General of the diocese of Setúbal, as new bishop of Beja, replacing the current prelate in office, John Mark.
The new bishop of Beja, thanked the pontiff for “the trust” placed in him for his new functions, expressing “entire availability” to serve the faithful of his new diocese, and expressed gratitude for the “confidence placed” and expressed “entire availability”.
Fernando Paiva, of 61 year old, was ordained a priest in 10 April 2005 and it was, so far, parish priest of Our Lady of Anunciada, Setubal, having been appointed in December 2023 Vicar General of this diocese, already by the new bishop sadino, Cardinal Américo Aguiar.
Born in Oliveira, São Pedro do Sul, where he was born in 26 November 1962, before entering the seminar, obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering, no Higher Technical Institute of Lisbon, having subsequently worked as an independent professional in the field of Engineering and as a professor.
Member of the College of Consultants and the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons of Setúbal, the new episcopal holder of Beja also served as president of the Support Consultation Committee for the Bishop in the Management of the Diocesan Clergy Fund in Setúbal.
Between 2005 and 2017 He performed different functions at the Diocesan Seminary of Setúbal, first as mayor and treasurer and, later, as vice-rector.
He was also responsible for monitoring new priests and for the ongoing training of the clergy in Setúbal and a member of the Presbyteral Council since 2014.
“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 situations”, wrote Fernando Paiva in the first message addressed to Catholics in Beja, released shortly after the appointment by the Vatican became known.
Fernando Paiva also made a point of greeting the clergy of Beja and those responsible for social assistance organizations, lay faithful who collaborate and participate in parishes, in ecclesiastical movements and in the various apostolic and pastoral works, also sending a message to “all those who are sick, arrested, isolated and in any situation of suffering and greater vulnerability”.
“I already miss you in advance, I address a word of greeting and gratitude to all the diocesans of Setúbal, lay people, religious and clergy, in a special way to the parishioners of N.ª Sr.ª da Anunciada, to collaborators, users and members of the Social Bodies of the Parish Social Center. A very fraternal greeting, friend and full of recognition to my brothers of the presbytery of Setúbal”, the new prelate of the Alentejo diocese also wrote, who did not forget the four bishops of the diocese of Setúbal: Manuel Martins, who confirmed him, Gilberto Reis, who ordered it, Jose Ornelas, who was your teacher, and Américo Aguiar, who encouraged him.
News: Lidador News/ O Digital/ Lusa
