His Eminence João Braz de Aviz |
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Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life | |
Appointed | 4 January 2011 |
Predecessor | Franc Rode CM |
Other posts | Cardinal-Deacon of Sant’Elena fuori Porta Prenestina |
Orders | |
Ordination | 26 November 1972 by Romeu Alberti |
Consecration | 31 May 1994 by Domingos Gabriel Wisniewski |
Created Cardinal | 18 February 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI |
Rank | Cardinal-Deacon |
Personal details | |
Birth name | João Braz de Aviz |
Born |
Mafra, Brazil |
24 April 1947
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Previous post |
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Motto |
Omnes Unum Sint (All May Be One) |
Styles of João Braz de Aviz |
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Reference style | His Eminence |
Spoken style | Your Eminence |
Informal style | Cardinal |
João Braz de Aviz (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʒuˈɐ̃w ˈbɾas dʒi aˈvis], Latin: Ioannes Blasius de Aviz; born 24 April 1947) is a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He has served as the prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 4 January 2011. At the time of the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013, his name was mentioned as a possible candidate for election to the papacy.
Braz de Aviz was born in Mafra, Diocese of Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil in 1947. He has four brothers and three sisters – the youngest sister has Down's syndrome. After pursuing his philosophical studies at the Major Seminary Rainha dos Apostolos in Curitiba and the Faculty of Palmas, he completed his theological studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he obtained a licenciate, and at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he graduated in 1992 with a doctorate in dogmatic theology.
Braz de Aviz was ordained a priest 26 November 1972. He began his ministry as a parish priest in the diocese of Apucarana, as Rector of the Major Seminary Apucarana and Londrina, and as professor of dogmatic theology at the Theological Institute Paul VI in Londrina. He was also member of the Council of Priests and the College of Consultors and General Coordinator of the Diocesan Pastoral Apucarana. As a young priest Braz de Aviz was once on his way to a village to say Mass when he stumbled upon an armored car robbery. He was caught in the crossfire and shot, with bullets perforating his lungs and intestines and one eye. He survived and surgeons were able to save his eye, he still carries fragments of those bullets in his body.