Cardinal Sérgio da Rocha, Metropolitan Archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia (Brasil), was born in Dobrada, diocese of Jaboticabal, in the State of São Paulo, on October 21st, 1959. He attended courses in philosophy at the diocesan seminary of São Carlos and theology at the Theological Institute of Campinas. He obtained a licentiate in moral theology at the Nossa Senhora da Assunçao Theological Faculty in São Paulo, and a doctorate in the same discipline at the St. Alphonsus Academy in Rome.

He was ordained a priest on December 14th, 1984 in Matão, diocese of São Carlos.

As a priest he exercised the following ministries: parish priest in Água Vermelha and coordinator of youth pastoral ministry in São Carlos (1985-1986). professor of philosophy in the diocesan seminary and spiritual director in the House of Theology of Campinas (1986-1987 and 1991); rector at the São Carlos Philosophy Seminary (1987-1988 and 1990); diocesan coordinator of vocations  (1987 and 1989); parish vicar of  the Cathedral of São Carlos (1988-1989); vicar of the Parish of Nossa Senhora de Fátima in São Carlos (1990); diocesan coordinator of pastoral ministry and rector of the São Judas Tadeu Chapel in São Carlos (1991); professor of moral theology at the PUC of Campinas and rector of the diocesan theological seminary (1997-2001); member of the team for the formation of permanent deacons and member of the council of presbyters and the college of consultors.

On June 13th, 2001, he was elected titular bishop of Alba and appointed auxiliary of Fortaleza. He received his episcopal consercation on August 11th of the same year. He was appointed  coadjutor bishop of Teresina on 31st January 2007 and became archbishop the following September 3rd, 2008.

On June 15th 2011, Pope Benedict appointed him metropolitan archbishop of Brasilia.

Since April 2015 he has been president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brasil, in which he had previously held numerous positions, including member of the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine; member of the Episcopal Commission of the Mutirão de Superação da miséria e da Fome; regional secretary and director of youth vocational ministry for the region Nordeste 1; member of the permanent council and the Commission of the Doctrine; and chairman of the region Nordeste 1.

He was also President of the Department of Vocations and Ministries of CELAM, the Latin American Episcopal Council.

He took part in the 14th Ordinary Gneral Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: The vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world (October 2015).

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 19 November 2016, titular church of Santa Croce in via Flaminia.

On 7 March 2023 the Holy Father Francis, having to renew the Council of Cardinals upon the expiry of the mandate of the preceding one, has appointed Cardinal da Rocha as member of the new Council.

Member of:

• Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
• Dicasteries: for Bishops; for the Clergy.
• Council of Cardinals.