Nuno Brás

Together with the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, the diocese is responsible for providing pastoral care for the patients of the Institute of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God located in Funchal, since 1924 and inaugurated by the Blessed Juan Jesús Adradas Gonzalo.

In September 2021, the diocese, together with the parish of São Bento (Ribeira Brava) and in partnership with the Regional Government, inaugurated the Dragoeiro Alzheimer Unit.

The coat of arms was designed by Miguel Pinto-Correia following the economist's open letter to the bishop, published in the regional newspaper, suggesting that the Diocese should adopt a coat of arms on 600th anniversary of the discovery of Madeira.

Dom Nuno Brás da Silva Martins (Vimeiro, Lourinhã, 12 May 1963), most often referred to simply as Dom Nuno Brás, is a Portuguese Catholic bishop and current bishop of Funchal, Madeira.

Nuno Brás da Silva Martins graduated in Theology from the Faculty of Theology of the Portuguese Catholic University in 1985.

Five years later he earned his master's degree in Systematic Theology under the guidance of José IV, GCC and with the thesis ''The Christian life as an extension of the incarnation.

Theology of Christian existence in the pastoral works of Cardinal Cerejeira .''

Martins, first big role within the Catholic Church start in 1993 when he was appointed member of the educational team of the Olivais Major Seminary of Christ the King.

Apart from this Portuguese teaching positions, Bishop Martins has also taught at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, in 1996, and at the Pontifical Gregorian University, between 1999 and 2005.

He later received his doctorate in Fundamental Theology in 1999, by the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with the thesis: ''Christ perfect communicator.

Theological reading for an interdisciplinary investigation on the communicative phenomenon'', guided by Archbishop Rino Fisichella.

In Rome, Bishop Martins, was appointed Rector of the Pontifical Portuguese College between 2002 and 2005.

Between 2005 and 2011 he would become Rector of the same clergy educational institution.

One year afterwards, in 2006 he would be back in Portugal working closely in the Patriarchate administration as member of the Pastoral Council of the archdiocese of Lisbon and Canon of the Metropolitan Chapter of the Patriarchal See.

Since 2009 he became member of the Scientific Society of the Portuguese Catholic University.

In 2011 he his elected, by Pope Benedict XVI, as Titular Bishop of Elvas and Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchate of Lisbon.

He also served in the Portuguese Conference of Bishops as member of the sectorial commissions for Culture, Cultural Assets and Social Communications of the Catholic Church in Portugal and for Christian Education and the Doctrine of Faith.

As for the sex abuse scandal surrounding Father Anastácio Alves, Bishop Martins told the press, on his arrival to the island, that he will adopt the own way of proceeding of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, in force since 2012.

On Sunday, February 17, Bishop Martins officially took office as Bishop of Funchal in a ceremony held in the Cathedral of Funchal.

In his first homily he appealed to the "holiness" of the priests, called for a Church that "dares to be" and does not just "appears to be", asked his Diocesan Curia to give testimonial of the Risen Christ and ensured "a sincere collaboration with all entities of the Madeiran society, with respect for each one of them".

To his taking of office mass attended the following Catholic clergy:

On the first months, shortly after taking office, Bishop Nuno, started a series of semi-formal visits around the Autonomous Regions of Madeira to better know the pastoral needs of the diocese.

Such visits included:

Following the Priest Giselo Andrade's case and his assignment to the Communications and Media Office of the diocese by his predecessor Bishop Carrilho, Bishop Martins opted to remove Father Giselo from the Permanent Secretariat of the Diocese following his cabinet reshuffle.

Bishop Martins is then appointed, in 2016, by Pope Francis has member of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See, a position that would then lead him to become coordinator of the Social Communications of the Commission for Evangelization and Culture, body of the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe in 2018.

On January 12, 2019, Bishop Martins is elected by Pope Francis as Bishop of Funchal, succeeding António III.

Upon knowing of his appointment Bishop Martins told the press that he felt "a mixture of fear and confidence. Fear because I am aware of my limitations; confidence because I know that Jesus will always be with me and not abandon me."

A feeling he would later reiterate his mixed feeling in an interview given to RTP Madeira on February 14.

Two days after his appointment was made public by the Holy See, the President of the Republic congratulated Bishop Martins.

In his official statement the Portuguese president said that the appointment "fills all Portuguese, believers and non-believers with joy".

He arrived at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport on February 15, 2019, where he was greeted by his predecessor before kissing the ground following the custom set by Pope John Paul II.

Shortly after his arrival, Bishop Martins gave an interview to the Madeiran media surrounded by António III and Teodoro I.

On this interview Bishop Martins highlighted that his mission, as Bishop of Funchal, given by Pope Francis was " to build a Christian community and evangelize".

When asked about Madeira's economy and how the Diocese could help, he highlighted the cultural contribution of the Catholic Church to the Autonomous Region and how the religious cultural patrimony could be used in the region's favour to promote Christian religious tourism.

On March 23, 2019, the Bishop Nuno announced through the diocese's Facebook page and on a historical note on the diocese's website the adoption of the diocese's coat of arms.

On Madeira Day 2019, the year that Madeira celebrated its 600th anniversary of discovery and settlement, Bishop Martins addressed in the Te Deum Mass stressed that such a historical feat was, overall, also a beneficial Christian feat of the Church that became a blessing for the entire population that later settled on the island.

In his sermon Bishop Martins publicly acknowledged that despite 600 years of Catholicism on the island, the Diocese could "not fail to acknowledge the many sins, the many failings and failures that have marked these 600 years, whether by individual Christians or by the Christian community as a whole".

Implying acknowledgement of the Diocese's persecution and pressure against the Anglican and Evangelical Churches on the island.

As a diocesan member of the Episcopal Conference of Portugal, Bishop Martins participates in the following bodies within the Conference:

As Bishop of Funchal, Nuno Brás is engaged in several public healthcare programs of which the Diocese heads in partnership with the Regional Government of Madeira.