Carlos Duarte Costa - Early Life and Ministry

Early Life and Ministry

Carlos Duarte Costa was born in Rio de Janeiro on July 21, 1888, at the residence of his uncle (later Bishop) Eduardo Duarte de Silva. The son of João Matta Francisco Costa and Maria Carlota Duarte da Silva Costa, he received a devout Catholic upbringing. At age nine he received his first communion in the Cathedral of Uberaba, from the hands of his uncle (now Bishop) Dom Eduardo Duarte da Silva. That same year he was taken by his uncle to Rome to study at the Pontificio Collegio Pio Latino Americano, a Jesuit-run minor seminary. In 1905 he returned to Brazil for health reasons, and entered an Augustinian seminary in Uberaba, where he completed his philosophical and theological studies.

After ordination as a deacon, Duarte Costa served under his uncle, Dom Eduardo, in the Cathedral Church of Uberaba. On May 4, 1911, Duarte Costa was ordained to the priesthood at the cathedral. He then returned to Rome to further his education, and obtained a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. After returning to Brazil, he worked once again with his uncle, Dom Eduardo, in Uberaba, as secretary of the diocese. Duarte Costa was awarded the title Monsignor for his publication of a catechism for children and was later named Protonotary Apostolic and General Secretary of the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, serving in this capacity until 1923.

On July 4, 1924, Pope Pius XI nominated Duarte Costa as Bishop of Botucatu. His episcopal consecration occurred on December 8 that year at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, presided over by Sebastian Cardinal Leme da Silveira Cintra.