Resignation of bishop of Humaitá, Brazil, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Humaitá, Brazil, presented by Bishop Meinrad Franz Josef Merkel, C.S.Sp.

The Pope has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Humaitá, Brazilo, the Reverend Antônio Fontinele de Melo, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Porto Velho, until now parish priest of the Sagrado Coração de Jesus Cathedral, and archdiocese bursar.

Curriculum vitae

The Reverend Antônio Fontinele de Melo was born on 9 May 1968 in Camocim, in the State of Ceará, Brazil. He carried out his studies in philosophy and theology at the São João XXIII Seminary in Porto Velho, obtaining qualifications in philosophy from the Catholic University of Brasilia and in theology from the Centro Superior de Juiz de Fora in the State of Minas Gerais. He also specialised in educational methodology and in Sacred Scripture. He was ordained a priest on 18 September 1999, in the archdiocese of Porto Velho.

During his priestly ministry he has held the following offices: rector of the Dom Helder Câmara minor seminary (1999-2005); parish priest of “São Cristóvão” (1999-2013); president of priests for the “Noroeste” Region of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil; pastoral coordinator of the archdiocese of Porto Velho (2005-2010); supervisor for the Base Ecclesial Communities of the “Noroeste” Region of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil; lecturer at the São João XXIII Seminary in the archdiocese of Porto Velho; lecturer at the Claretian University Centre; lecturer at the FARO (Faculty of Rondônia).