The Holy Father appointed Fr. Joao Muniz Alves, OFM as bishop prelate of Xingu

Fr. Joao Muniz Alves, O.F.M. was appointed by the Holy Father as bishop prelate of Xingu, Brazil on 23 December 2015. The bishop-elect was born in Carema, Brazil on 18 January 1961, gave his religious vows to the Order of Friars Minor, Province of the Assumption BVM on 2 February 1986 and was ordained a priest on 4 September 1993. He holds a licentiate and doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical Antonianum University and a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical Alphonsianum Academy, and has served in a number of pastoral roles including parish vicar, deputy master of postulants, parish priest, definitor of the Francescan vice-Province “Nossa Senhora da Assuncao” in Bacabal, member of the presbyteral council, provincial minister and visitator general of the Franciscan Province of Mozambique. He is currently guardian of the Franciscan community at Sao Luis do Maranhao, parish vicar, formator and professor of moral theology.