Vital Maria Gonçalves de Oliveira

Dom Vital or Vital Maria Gonçalves de Oliveira (1844 - 1878) was the Bishop of Olinda who was imprisoned during the crisis of the Religious Question.
Dom Vital was born in Parahyba. He started studying for the priesthood in Olinda's diocesan seminary continuing his studies at the Saint-Sulpice Seminary in Paris. He became a Capuchin friar in 1863 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1868 in Toulouse. He returned to Brazil where he taught in São Paulo's diocesan seminary.
He was chosen by the imperial government in 1871 to fill the vacant see of Olinda. Although reluctant to become a bishop the Pope, Pius IX, confirmed the appointment. He became a bishop in 1872.