Resignation of bishop of Funchal, Portugal, and appointment of successor

Appointment of major of the Pontifical Swiss Guard

Resignation of bishop of Funchal, Portugal, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Funchal, Portugal, presented by H.E. Msgr. António José Cavaco Carrilho.

The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Funchal, Portugal, H.E. Msgr. Nuno Brás Da Silva Martins, currently titular bishop of Elvas and auxiliary of the Patriarchate of Lisboa.

H.E. Msgr. Nuno Brás Da Silva Martins

H.E. Msgr. Nuno Brás Da Silva Martins was born on 12 May 1963 in Vimeiro, Lourinhã, in the Patriarchate of Lisboa. He completed his primary and secondary studies at the Penafirme Externate. Later he carried out his philosophical and theological studies at the seminaries of the Patriarchate. He also holds a doctorate in fundamental theology from the Gregorian University.

He was ordained a priest on 4 July 1987, in the Patriarchate of Lisboa. During his ministry, he held the following positions: parish vicar of “Nossa Senhora dos Anjos”, in Lisboa (1987-1990); member of the formation team of the major seminary (1993-2002); director of the diocesan weekly magazine “Voz da Verdade” (1993-2003); professor in the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Portugal; head of the diocesan Commission for the Permanent Diaconate (1999-2002); rector of the Pontifical Portuguese College, in Rome (2002-2005); rector of the major seminary of “Cristo Rei”; director of the Patriarchate Information Department. He is also the author of several theological publications and books on theological and pastoral subjects. From 20 November 2011 he is auxiliary of Lisboa.

Appointment of major of the Pontifical Swiss Guard

The Holy Father has appointed Mr. Martin Kurmann as major of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.