The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Krzysztof Stefan Włodarczyk as bishop of the diocese of Bydgoszcz, Poland, transferring him from the titular see of Surista and the office of auxiliary of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Krzysztof Stefan Włodarczyk was born on 25 February 1061 in Sławno, in the diocese of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg. In 1981 he began his studies at the major seminary of Koszalin and on 21 June 1987, he received priestly ordination for the same diocese.

After priestly ordination, he served as vicar of the parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Lipie (1987-1988) and subsequently director of the Retreat House in Iłowiec. From 1990 to 2005 he was also director of the Diocesan Office for the Family and diocesan moderator of the domestic Church, the family pastoral branch of the Light-Life Movement.

On 21 February 2005, he was awarded a doctorate in pastoral theology from the Theological Faculty of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw.

From 2007 to 2016 he was director of the Diocesan Pastoral Office.

On 7 May 2016, he was appointed titular bishop of Surista and auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg, receiving episcopal consecration on the following 11 June.

Within the Polish Bishops’ Conference, the prelate is a delegate for the Light-Life Movement.

Appointment of bishop of Viana do Castelo, Portugal

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop João Evangelista Pimentel Lavrador as bishop of the diocese of Viana do Castelo, Portugal, transferring him from the see of Angra.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop João Evangelista Pimentel Lavrador was born on 18 February 1956 in Seixo de Mira. He carried out his studies in the diocesan seminary of Coimbra and was ordained a priest on 14 June 1981, and incardinated in the same diocese. In 1988 he was awarded a licentiate and doctorate in dogmatic theology in Salamanca.

During the course of his priestly ministry, he has held the following offices: deputy parish priest in Pombal; director of the diocesan Secretariat for Youth Pastoral Care; secretary of the Presbyteral Council; rector of the Seminary; director of the University Institute for Justice and Peace; secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Culture, Cultural Heritage and Social Communications; pro-vicar general of the diocese of Coimbra.

On 7 May 2008, he was appointed as titular bishop of Luperciana and auxiliary of Porto, receiving episcopal ordination the following 29 June. On 29 September 2015, he was transferred as coadjutor bishop of Angra, becoming ordinary bishop on 15 March 2016.

Within the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, he is president of the Commission for Culture, Cultural Heritage and Social Communications.