João Braz de Aviz was born on 24 April 1947 in Mafra, Brazil, and was ordained a priest on 26 November 1972 for the Diocese of Apucarana. He holds a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Lateran University. On 6 April 1994 he was appointed titular Bishop of Flenucleta and Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Vitória, receiving episcopal ordination on 31 May 1994. He transferred to Ponta Grossa on 12 August 1998 and was elevated Archbishop of Maringá on 17 July 2002.
On 28 January 2004 he was appointed Archbishop of Brasília, where in 2010 he organised the XVI National Eucharistic Congress. On 4 January 2011 he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Vatican office overseeing religious orders and institutes worldwide. In that role he presented the Year for Consecrated Life (2014-2015) and oversaw the implementation of the 2018 instruction Cor Orans on contemplative life.
Pope Benedict XVI created him a cardinal in the consistory of 18 February 2012, assigning him the titular church of Sant'Elena fuori Porta Prenestina; he participated in the conclave of March 2013 that elected Pope Francis. He was elevated pro hac vice from cardinal deacon to cardinal priest on 4 March 2022, participated as an elector in the 2025 conclave, and is now Prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. He is a member of the Dicastery for the Clergy, the Dicastery for Bishops, and the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Consequential Quotes
Consecrated men and women are aware that besides recounting the great stories they have written in the past, they are called to write a no-less-beautiful and great story in the future.
We are convinced that the council represented the breath of the Holy Spirit not only for the entire church, but in a particular way for consecrated life.
Contemplative life is not destined to disappear, but must reflect with transparency the ideal of evangelical life of the founders that is at its base.
We need contemplative life as we need food and water to live.
Whoever truly meets Jesus becomes a witness and makes the encounter possible for others.
Major Works & Initiatives
Archbishop of Brasília; XVI National Eucharistic Congress
Appointed Archbishop of Brasília on 28 January 2004; in 2010 he organised the XVI National Eucharistic Congress in the Brazilian capital.
Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life
Appointed Prefect of the Congregation (later Dicastery) for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on 4 January 2011, overseeing religious institutes worldwide.
Created cardinal
Created cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on 18 February 2012 with the titular church of Sant'Elena fuori Porta Prenestina; participated in the 2013 conclave.
Presentation of the Year for Consecrated Life
Presented the Year for Consecrated Life at a Holy See press conference in January 2014, framing it around the 50th anniversary of the conciliar decree Perfectae Caritatis.
Controversies
Cor Orans and contemplative communities (2018)
The 2018 instruction Cor Orans, issued by his dicastery, made considerable changes to female contemplative religious life. Critics said the document fundamentally altered the nature of contemplative monastic life in a negative way, especially for more traditional orders, and some argued it would destroy the autonomy that St. Teresa of Avila insisted was crucial for Carmelite monasteries. Supporters saw it as necessary reform to address issues concerning formation and ensure the viability of contemplative communities (The College of Cardinals Report, summarising both positions). Braz de Aviz himself defended contemplative life in a 2020 Vida Nueva interview, saying it was not destined to disappear and was needed by the Church.
Post-LCWR-visitation approach and calls to review authority
The College of Cardinals Report notes that Braz de Aviz has been criticised by some for a too conciliatory stance towards religious groups considered liberal or progressive, in contrast to the harder line of his predecessor as prefect, Cardinal Franc Rodé; it also records that he has been both praised and criticised for his call for a wide-ranging review of structures of Church power, including his 2013 remarks that obedience and authority must be renewed.
Sources
- Holy See Press Office — biography
- Wikipedia
- Catholic News Agency via Angelus News — As monasteries close, cardinal says contemplative life will not disappear, 28 July 2020
- Catholic Online — Pope Francis designates 2015 as the 'Year for Consecrated Life', January 2014
- The College of Cardinals Report — Cardinal João Braz de Aviz