The nomination by Pope Francis of our brother Silvio as bishop is a great joy for the Fraternity and for the Church.
I had the joy of sharing with him the retreat for the fraternities of Braziil in Florianópolis, and last February the II Panamerican Assembly of the fraternity in Santo Domingo. His close and fraternal style has always been for all a good, a reward of the many that God gives us without earning them.
Silvio was born June 6, 1966 in Encruzilhada do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul). He studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.
He was ordained priest on December 18, 1993 in the Diocese of Porto Alegre, and after various pastoral missions in parishes and the seminary, since 2013 he has been Rector of the Seminary of Viamâo.
He is a member of the fraternity of Porto Alegre and is the national responsible of the fraternities of 
Brazil, in succession to Gildo.
His episcopal ordination will be held in the Charqueadas Sports Arena, which adjoins the church of Cristo Rei (Christ the King), at 3.00 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2018, and he will beginhis ministry as Pastor of the Diocese of Vacaria on 5th August at 10.00 am, in the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora de Oliveira.
Let us add our joy, and prayers for Silvio and his diocesan community, for the simple people who teach us the path of Jesus in its steps, in its hopes and in its just struggles.
Aurelio SANZ BAEZA, brother responsible
