The Episcopal Ordination was presided over by the Archbishop of Belém, Mgr. Alberto Taveira Corrêa, and concelebrated by Msgr. Flávio Giovenale, SDB, Bishop of Santarém, and Msgr. Meinrad Francisco, Bishop of Humaitá.
During the homily, Msgr. Corrêa thanked the diocesan bishop, Msgr. Jesús María Cizaurre Bergonces of the diocese of Braganza, for his welcome: "The Archdiocese of Belém of Pará is made happy for the infinite love of God ... We are all proud that God has chosen a son of this land for the Episcopate."
At the end of the celebration, Msgr. Antônio de Assis Ribeiro expressed his happiness. "I want to serve the people of God with a simple heart, with joy, optimism, sympathy and generosity. As Pope Francis says I want to smell of sheep ... The Holy Father has chosen a son of farmers for the Episcopate. That this truth remains in my memory so that nothing has me forget where I came from and where I've been. I count on your prayers."
The religious Sr. María Graça, who arrived in the municipality of Manicore with seven other people who worked with Msgr. Antonio, expressed her happiness "The first time I met Father Antonio, I knew he would become bishop, for his way of being, for the charism, for his pastoral work. We came from a long way off, many hours aboard a boat on the river, bus and boat, and by plane to arrive in Belém, and finally a bus to arrive at this place for the Episcopal Ordination. We are very pleased to represent our city."
The City Mayor, Valdemiro Fernandes Coelho Junior, said, "We are celebrating for our brother Msgr. Antônio, for everything that he is and represents for us."
