December 9, 2023 - Pope Francis Names Rev. Cristiano Guilherme Borro Barbosa as Aux Bishop of Boston

Braintree, MA -- Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley announced this morning that Pope Francis has named Rev. Cristiano Guilherme Borro Barbosa as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston. Bishop-elect Barbosa currently serves as Episcopal Vicar for the Central Region and as Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship.

Cardinal Seán said, “I am grateful to our Holy Father Pope Francis for blessing the Archdiocese with the appointment of Bishop-elect Barbosa. He offers a shepherd’s heart and a wide range of experiences that have prepared him for this new role in the life of the Church. His theological background, extensive parish experience, and ministry with the ethnic community clearly appealed to the Holy Father in making this appointment. We join with the entire Archdiocese of Boston in the joy he brings to his ministry in service to Christ and the Church.”

Watch the press conference live, below, at 11:30 a.m.

Bishop-Elect Barbosa said, "I am humbled by the great confidence the Holy Father has shown in me by this appointment today. I am happy if I can serve in love for God and His people. The work of the Church is bringing reconciliation and unity. We are ministers of unity and peace. I want to thank Cardinal Seán for his confidence and for his great love for the Archdiocese and its people in all its cultural diversity. Bishop-Elect Barbosa, 47, has served as Episcopal Vicar for the Central Region and as Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship since July 1, 2023. He will continue in these roles after his Episcopal Ordination on February 3, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, MA.

Born in Adamantina, Brazil, Bishop-Elect Barbosa was ordained to the priesthood in December 2007 at the Diocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Bauru, SP, Brazil - Diocese of Bauru. He later served in a number of parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston, including Saint Anthony of Padua in Cambridge, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Cambridge, Holy Family Parish in Lowell, Immaculate Conception Parish in Lowell, and Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Lowell. He was incardinated as a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston in 2021.

His academic record is extensive and includes the Universidade Estadual Paulista, Bauru, SP (Licentiate and Training in Professional Psychology), Universidade de Sagrado Coração in Bauru, SP, Brazil (Licentiate of Philosophy), Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais - Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil (Master in Psychology), and Boston College (School of Theology and Ministry) – Chestnut Hill, MA (Licentiate in Sacred Theology and Doctor of Sacred Theology).

He previously was on the faculty of Saint John Seminary teaching theology and also part-time at Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary in Weston. Bishop-Elect Barbosa speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish. He is a trained psychologist.

Cardinal Seán will ordain Bishop-Elect Barbosa to the episcopacy on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. Additional details will be released shortly.

Auxiliary Bishops of Boston

Bishop-elect Barbosa will serve with the following Auxiliary Bishops in Boston when he is ordained in February 2023:

• Auxiliary Bishop Mark O’Connell, JCD, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
• Auxiliary Bishop Robert Hennessey, Merrimack Region
• Auxiliary Bishop Robert Reed, West Region and President of Catholic TV
• Auxiliary Bishop Peter J. Uglietto, S.T.D., former Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
• Auxiliary Bishop Arthur L. Kennedy, Ph.D (retired)
• Auxiliary Bishop John Dooher (retired)