Leo XIV appoints a Brazilian archbishop who had "permitted" the baptism of unrepentant adults in 🌈 homosexual relationships. The promoted prelate acknowledged that, in such circumstances, baptism “does not confer sanctifying grace”.
Today, Pope Leo XIV appointed Monsignor Wellington de Queiroz Vieira, 58, as Archbishop of Cuiabá, Brazil. He led the Diocese of Cristalândia since 2017.
Born in Tocantinópolis in 1968, Vieira studied philosophy and canon law in Rome, was ordained a priest in 1996.
Amazon Synod: Celibacy and Female Deacons
Monsignor Vieira participated in Francis' controversial 2019 Amazon Synod (Pachamama).
At a Vatican press conference on October 16, 2019, Vieira declared that there were no biblical or theological obstacles to ordaining married men to the priesthood.
However, he added that he doesn’t believe celibacy is the principal cause of the shortage of priests.
Asked about the possibility of female deacons, Monsignor Vieira said: “The Synod has no decision-making power: we can make proposals, but it will be up to the Holy Father to provide guidance.”
Transgender Godparents and Homosexual Relationships
More revealing is a 12-page pastoral letter issued by Archbishop Vieira on March 13, 2025, entitled ‘Christian Initiation (Baptism) and Canon Law’.
In the document, Monsignor Vieira declares that homosexual and transgender individuals can serve as godparents in individual cases.
He also supports baptizing children raised by homosexual couples. Baptism may be delayed only when there is no “minimal hope” of a Catholic upbringing. He added that “the fact of asking for baptism already indicates a predisposition to Christian life.”
Adults can receive baptism while continuing to live in relationships contrary to God's commandments. Archbishop Vieira mentions people living in homosexual relationships.
He insists that the Church must not erect “insurmountable barriers” to [sacrilegious] baptism:
“Receiving the sacrament of baptism in a state of sin, without the immediate decision to begin a new life, will prevent the person from receiving sanctifying grace, but they will receive the sacramental character.”
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