Resignation of archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, and appointment of new metropolitan archbishop

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, presented by Archbishop Murilo Sebastião Ramos Krieger, S.C.I.

The Pope has appointed as metropolitan archbishop of the archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, His Eminence Cardinal Sergio da Rocha, currently metropolitan archbishop of Brasilia.

His Eminence Cardinal Sérgio da Rocha

His Eminence Cardinal Sérgio da Rocha was born on 21 October 1959 in Dobrada, archdiocese of Jaboticabal, in the State of São Paulo. He carried out his studies in philosophy in the diocesan seminary of São Carlos and in theology in the Institute of Theology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas. He was then awarded a licentiate in moral theology from the Nossa Senhora da Assunção Faculty of Theology in São Paulo, and a doctorate in the same discipline from the Alphonsian Academy in Rome.

He was ordained a priest on 14 December 1984 and incardinated in the diocese of São Carlos,  where he held the following ministries: parish priest in Água Vermelha; parish vicar of the Cathedral; parish vicar of Nossa Senhora de Fátima in São Carlos; rector of the São Judas Tadeu Chapel in São Carlos; diocesan head of youth pastoral care; diocesan head of vocational service; diocesan pastoral coordinator; spiritual director of the House of Theology in Campinas; rector of the major seminary of philosophy; rector of the major seminary of theology; professor of philosophy in the diocesan seminary; member of the team of formation for permanent deacons; and member of the presbyteral council and the college of consultors. In addition, he served as professor of moral theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas.

On 13 June 2001 he was elected titular bishop of Alba and auxiliary of Fortaleza, receiving episcopal ordination on the following 11 August. On 31 January 2007 he was appointed as coadjutor archbishop of Teresina and became metropolitan archbishop on 3 September 2008. On 15 June 2011 he was transferred as metropolitan archbishop of Brasilia.

Within the Latin American Episcopal Conference (CELAM), he has served as president of the Department of Vocations and Ministries. Within the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil he has held the following roles: secretary and head of youth and vocations for the “Nordeste 1” Region; president of the “Nordeste 4” Region; member of the Episcopal Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Episcopal Commission for Overcoming Poverty and Hunger, the Episcopal Commission for Ordinary Ministries and Consecrated Life, and the Permanent Council. From 2015 to 2019 he was president of the same Episcopal Conference.

In the Consistory of 19 November 2016 he was created Cardinal by Pope Francis, with the title of Holy Cross in Via Flaminia. He is a member of the Congregation for the Clergy, the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.