Announcement of Appointment of Bishop Joe S. Vásquez as New Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
January 20, 2025
Early this morning, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has accepted Cardinal DiNardo’s resignation from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and named Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin, as Cardinal DiNardo’s successor, and the next Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.
Archbishop-Designate Vásquez has been a priest for more than 40 years and was ordained a bishop in 2002 to serve as Auxiliary Bishop for our Archdiocese until 2010, when he was appointed as the fifth Bishop of Austin. He has led the Diocese of Austin for the last 15 years.
During his 8 years in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Archbishop-Designate Vásquez fulfilled several roles in the operations of the Archdiocese, as Vicar General, Chancellor, Moderator of the Curia, Secretariat Director for Administration and Vicar for Hispanics. His prior experience here will prove invaluable as he returns to lead this diverse and growing Archdiocese.
Archbishop-Designate Vásquez will be installed as the ninth Archbishop of Galveston-Houston on March 25, 2025, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Additional information will be forthcoming about the Mass.
We extend our prayers and congratulations to Archbishop-Designate Joe Vásquez.
Archbishop-Designate Joe S. Vásquez
Biographical Information
Date and Place of Birth:
July 9, 1957, in Stamford, Texas
Family:
Father: Juan Vásquez; Mother: Elvira Vásquez (both deceased); Sisters: Cynthia Martínez and Consuelo Garza; Brothers: Robert Vásquez, Samuel Vásquez (Deceased) and James Vásquez
Education:
B.A., University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas (1976-1980)
St. Mary Seminary
S.T.L., Gregorian University, Rome, Italy (1980-1985)
Priesthood Ordination:
June 30, 1984, for the Diocese of San Angelo by Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, Bishop of San Angelo
Episcopal Ordination:
January 23, 2002, for then Diocese of Galveston-Houston by Most Reverend Joseph Fiorenza, Bishop of Galveston-Houston. Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston from 2002-2010.
Episcopal Installation:
March 8, 2010, he was installed as the 5th Bishop of the Diocese of Austin
USCCB:
Consultant, Committee on Pro-Life Activities
Lead Bishop, Region X for the V National Encounter for Hispanic/Latino Ministry (V Encuentro)
Past Chair, Committee on Migration
Past Member, Administrative Committee
Past Member, Committee for Religious Liberty
Past Consultant, Committee on International Justice and Peace
Past Consultant, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
Past Consultant, Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs
Past Consultant, Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism
Past Board Member, Catholic Relief Services
Past Board Member, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
Pastoral Ministry, Diocese of San Angelo:
Parochial Vicar (1985-1987)
St. Joseph Church, Odessa
Pastor (1987-1997)
St. Joseph Church, Fort Stockton
Pastor (1997-2002)
St. Joseph Church, San Angelo