Fr. Cristiano Guilherme Borro Barbosa has been appointed as Episcopal Vicar for the Central Region and Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship

Dear Friends-

I hope that you had an enjoyable and restful Memorial Day weekend with your family and friends. In the Archdiocese of Boston, we have been blessed with many priests and deacons who have served both the Church and with our armed forces. We have a long and distinguished history of providing chaplains throughout the world supporting our brave men and women in the military. So, we join with the entire Archdiocese in remembering all those who gave their lives in service to our country, and we pray that God blesses all members of our military keeping them safe from all harm.

Just a few short weeks ago, we announced new assignments for Fr. Bob Blaney and Fr. Paul Soper. Today, on behalf of Cardinal Seán, I want to inform you that Fr. Cristiano Guilherme Borro Barbosa has been appointed as Episcopal Vicar for the Central Region. Fr. Barbosa will also serve as Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship and become a member of the Cardinal’s cabinet. He currently is on the faculty of Saint John Seminary teaching theology and also part-time at Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary in Weston.

Born in Adamantina, Brazil, Fr. 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 that includes Saint Anthony of Padua Parish 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 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).

Fr. Barbosa will begin his new assignment on July 1, 2023.

The Cardinal is very appreciative of Fr. Jonathan Gaspar’s assistance serving as Interim Episcopal Vicar for the Central Region these past several months. Fr. Gaspar has always answered the call to serve, and he gladly took on the role of Interim Episcopal Vicar providing seamless leadership and strong support for our priests and parishes in the Central Region. He did this in addition to serving as Pastor of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Brookline, where he continues to lead a vibrant parish and school community.

Please join us in praying for Fr. Barbosa and offering our full support as he undertakes these important assignments on behalf of the people of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Thank you for all that you are doing to support the mission of the Church.

God bless,
Bishop Mark