Departures of note

Antônio Alencar Monteiro was born on 1 November 1932 in Barro, Ceará, and moved with his family to Montes Claros, where he completed his theology studies and was ordained a priest on 8 July 1962. Over more than six decades of ministry he held numerous roles in the Archdiocese of Montes Claros, including vicar cooperator of the Metropolitan Cathedral, parish priest of Nossa Senhora da Consolação, chaplain of the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, and parish priest of the Catedral Nossa Senhora Aparecida, while also serving in the Family Pastoral, the Encontro de Casais com Cristo, and the archdiocesan presbyteral council.

Beyond religious life, he taught Latin at the Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras (FAFIL), directed the Colégio Tiradentes of the Minas Gerais Military Police in Montes Claros, and served as an effective member of the Tutelary Council for Children and Adolescents. He also worked as military chaplain of the 10th Military Police Battalion for 26 years, retiring with the rank of major.

In 2001, Pope John Paul II granted him the title of monsignor in recognition of his services to the Catholic Church. He died on 27 October 2026 in Montes Claros at the age of 93.