Nei Paulo Moretto

Nei Paulo Moretto (25 May 1936 – 6 April 2023) was a Brazilian Roman Catholic prelate. He served as bishop of Cruz Alta (1972–1976), coadjutor bishop (1976–1983) and bishop of Caxias do Sul (1983–2011).

Early life and education Moretto was born in Caxias do Sul on 25 May 1936, to Isidoro Domingos Moretto and Paulina Soldatelli, the eldest son of a family of 8 siblings. He did his primary studies at the Henrique Emílio Mayer School. In 1947 he went on to study at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Seminary, in Caxias do Sul, where he remained until 1953, and later graduated in Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. On 2 July 1961 he received his priestly ordination from Bishop Faustino Tissot.

Ministry Priesthood Back in Caxias do Sul, Moretto developed his activity at the Sagrada Familia Parish and shortly afterwards was appointed coadjutor at the parish of São Francisco de Paula. president of CNBB Regional Sul III for two terms, and vice-president for one term.

Retirement and death On 2 July 2011, Moretto celebrated his 50 years of presbyterial ordination, at the Diocesan Cathedral of Caxias do Sul, his last solemn mass as diocesan bishop. Four days later, Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation due to age limit, and since then he had been Bishop Emeritus of Caxias do Sul. He received the title of Citizen Emeritus of Caxias do Sul in 2011.