New OFM Bishop in Brazil

Vatican City- November 11, 2009
The Pope appointed Br. Irineu Andreassa O.F.M., Bishop of Lages, Brazil. Br. Irineu was born on December 15, 1949 in Lacri of the Diocese of Marilia in the State of Saint Paul. On January 20, 1973, he entered the novitiate and made his simple vows the following year on Jan. 31, 1974. After having completed his studies of both Philosophy and Theology at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Franciscan Institute in Petropolis, he made his solemn profession on September 30, 1977 in the Order of Friars Minor and was ordained a priest on December 16, 1978.

He carried out the following ministerial responsibilities: Pastor of the parish of “Nossa Senhora Aparecida” (Our Lady who Appeared) in Olimpia; member of the Council of Priests of the diocese of Barretos (1979-1981) and of the Franciscan Custody of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1980-1983 e 1986-1995) which is dependent on the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Naples; Pastor also of the Parish of Saint Anthony Mary Claret in Ribeirão Preto (1982-1987 e 2001-2007); Formator of the students of both Philosophy and Theology of the Franciscan Custody (1982-1987); member of the Council of Priests and of the College of Consulters of the Archdiocese of Riberão Preto (1982-1987); Pastor of the Parish of Saint Jude Thaddeus in Franca (1987); Formator of both Postulants and Philosophers of the Franciscan Custody (1988-1993); Pastor of the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Diocese of Jaboticabal (1994-1998); and Custos of the Franciscan Custody of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1998-2001).

Since Feb. 2007, he has been Pastor of Saint Ann in Herculândia and “Nossa Senhora Aparecida” in Queiroz of the diocese of Marilia.