The museum
Director
The director of the Pius XII Museum since 2002 has been Canon José Paulo Leite Abreu.
He was born on 23 October 1959 in São Pedro de Azurém, Guimarães. In 1982, he finished his degree in Theology, from the Higher Institute of Theology at the Catholic University of Portugal, in Braga, and was ordained priest the following year.
In 1985, he completed his degree in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, in Rome, and in 1996, he obtained a doctorate in Church History, from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Currently, he is the chairman of the Institute of Christian History and Art in the Archdiocese of Braga, professor at the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Portugal, director of the Pius XII Museum and Treasure-Museum of Braga Cathedral, Dean of Braga Cathedral Chapter, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Braga and moderator of the Curia, chairman of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro brotherhood and judge of the Ecclesiastical Court of the Archdiocese of Braga.
His areas of specialisation and interest are the history of the Church, history of art, canon law and museology, having published innumerable articles, books and chapters of books.
Throughout his journey, he also served as contributor for the newspaper Diário do Minho, pastoral coordinator of the university and director of the Congregados Basilica in Braga.