José Moreira Pinto de Sousa, C.Ss.R.

Province of Lisbon – Portugal

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He was born in Portugal, at the village of Medas, Gondomar, on February 14, 1930.

After his primary studies he entered the Redemptorist Minor Seminary at Vila Nova de Gaia in 1941. In 1946 he went to Spain, where he made his novitiate in Nava del Rey, Valladolid, professing vows for the the first time on August 24, 1947.

At the same house as the novitiate he did his first year of philosophy, and then went to the Redemptorist Studendate at Astorga, where he finished his philosophical studies and did all his theological studies. He was ordained a priest on February 2, 1953.

In the academic year 1953-1954 he served as professor of theology at the same Studendate at Astorga. From 1954 to 1960 he lectured in the minor seminary of Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.

In 1961 he was called to Rome to serve as secretary to the Superior General at that time, Very Rev. William Gaudreau, in all things regarding the Portuguese language.

During his stay in Rome, which a continued until today, besides being secretary to the Superior General, he served the St. Alphonsus Community and General Government in many functions.

He also studied Social Communication at the Pro Deo University and Library Science at the Vatican Library. He was on the staff of the Vatican Radio for seven years and he was a correspondent for some Portuguese language newspapers during the Second Vatican Council.

He has served as Vice-Econome and Librarian for the St. Alphonsus Community, Econome of the community for two six-year terms, Director of the Collegio Maggiore for ten years and Vice-Superior several times.

At the General Curia he has served as the official Portuguese language translator, Vice-Procurator for many years and finally Procurator General during the last twelve years.

Fr. Sousa has agreed to serve two more years as Procurator General, when he will retire from this service to the Congregation.