Raymundo Damasceno Assis was born in Capela Nova, Brazil, on 15 February 1937 and ordained a priest on 19 March 1968. Appointed auxiliary bishop of Brasília in June 1986 (consecrated 15 September by Cardinal Falcão), he served as general secretary of CELAM (1991–95) and of the Brazilian bishops' conference (CNBB, 1995–98 and 1999–2003). On 28 January 2004 — the date given by the Holy See biography and Wikipedia's text; the infobox's “28 July” appears mistaken — John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Aparecida, home of Brazil's national Marian shrine (installed 25 August).
He presided over CELAM from 2007 to 2011 and over the CNBB from 2011 to 2015, and was President Delegate of both the 2014 Extraordinary and 2015 Ordinary Synods on the Family. Benedict XVI created him a cardinal on 20 November 2010, with the title of Immacolata al Tiburtino; he voted in the 2013 conclave. Francis accepted his resignation on 16 November 2016, and in 2019 named him pontifical commissioner for the Heralds of the Gospel, tasked with the group's reform. His motto is In gaudio Domini — “in the joy of the Lord.”
Consequential Quotes
It should have contained a clear statement rejecting any openings to homosexuality, cohabitation, so-called 'second marriages' or contraception.
Major Works & Initiatives
CELAM and CNBB president
Ran Latin America's two top episcopal bodies.
President Delegate of the family synods
Presided over both synods on the family.
Commissioner for the Heralds
The Vatican's reformer for the Heralds of the Gospel.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.