Pope Paul VI created the Prelacy of Borba on July 13, 1963. Our Redemptorist Father Zenildo Luiz Pereira da Silva, former Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Manaus, was named Coadjutor Bishop of the Prelacy in 2016 and assumed leadership as the fourth local bishop in 2017. Pope Francis elevated the prelacy to a diocese on November 18, 2022.
On June 25, 2023, the local Church of Borba celebrated its installation in a joyful public manner, with the presence of a number of bishops and a large crowd representing the clergy, religious and urban and rural communities of the diocese. The celebration was presided by Cardinal Leonardo Steiner, Metropolitan Archbishop of Manaus and president of the North Region 1 of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil. He and Bishop Zenildo were joined by several other bishops, among whom were the delegate of the Núncio, and Redemptorist Bishops Marcos Piatek of Coari, and Gutemberg Freire Régis, Emeritus Bishop of Coari. The homily was preached by Bishop Zenildo, who emphasized – in true Redemptorist style – a trust in God who loves us tremendously.
By Fr. Ed Vella, CSsR / Denverlink, update of June 14, 2023.
Photos courtesy of the Diocese of Borba (FB profile)
