New Archbishop of Galveston-Houston installed to replace Cardinal DiNardo

 New archbishop pledges to serve Galveston-Houston Archdiocese ‘with all my heart’

written by OSV News  3 minutes ago

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez greets women religious during his installation Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston March 25, 2025, the feast of the Annunciation. He is the ninth bishop and third archbishop to head the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. (OSV News photo/Galveston-Houston Facebook page)

HOUSTON (OSV News) — The new shepherd of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston pledged March 25 to serve his new flock “with all my heart.”

“Together, we will move forward, following our Savior, who leads, protects and watches over this local church,” Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez shared in his heartfelt homily, partly delivered in Spanish, at his installation Mass on the feast of the Annunciation at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.

“Mary has accompanied me in my vocation, and I trust that she will be with me throughout these years as I continue to lead you,” he said. “I also entrust myself to St. Joseph, to help me shepherd you. Pray for me, that, despite my unworthiness, I may be faithful to the great trust that has been handed on to me.”

‘Christ’s Loving Presence’

He added, “Pray that I may become like Jesus Christ, the good shepherd and great high priest, the teacher and servant of all, and so become more and more a sign of Christ’s loving presence among you.”

Thousands of the faithful from Texas and beyond gathered for the Mass. The congregation included three cardinals, numerous bishops, hundreds of priests and other clergy, men and women religious, and laity.

Under the depiction of the Holy Spirit in the co-cathedral’s soaring dome, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio, witnessed Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo hand over the crozier to Archbishop Vásquez, who, seated upon his cathedra, assumed his role as  Galveston-Houston’s ninth bishop and third archbishop. 

Archbishop Vásquez, 67, succeeds Cardinal DiNardo, 75, who headed the Texas archdiocese from 2006 until the pope accepted his resignation Jan. 20 and named then-Bishop Vásquez of Austin as his successor.

Episcopal Motto ‘Sigueme’

Of Mexican American descent, the archbishop is one of 26 active Hispanic Catholic bishops in the U.S. His episcopal motto is “Sigueme,” Spanish for “Follow me,” in reference to Jesus’ words to Peter in the Gospel of St. John.

In a message posted on the archdiocesan website the day of his installation, Archbishop Vásquez said he was “profoundly grateful” Pope Francis for appointing him as the next Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, reaffirming his “fidelity” to the pontiff.

He also expressed deep appreciation to his predecessors, Cardinal DiNardo and the late Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, who ordained him as a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo in 1984 and as an auxiliary bishop for Galveston-Houston in 2001. “He was truly a spiritual father to me and continues to be a source of inspiration,” he said.

He called Cardinal DiNardo “a true shepherd” who has provided “this local church with wise leadership and excellent service. … I hold him in the highest esteem and will depend on his counsel to help me serve the people of this vibrant and growing Church.”

Growing in ‘Faith and Love’

“I look forward to working with the many dedicated priests, deacons, consecrated men and women and lay faithful in this Archdiocese,” he continued. “You are a church rich in diversity, goodness and generosity, and I look forward to meeting with you and listening to you as together we grow in our faith and love for Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

He thanked the people of the Austin Diocese “for the prayers, love and support they have shown in allowing me to serve there for nearly 15 years. I will always have them in my heart.” Pope Benedict appointed him Austin’s fifth bishop Jan. 26, 2010.

Archbishop Vásquez remarked that he is “humbled” to serve the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and entrusted himself “to the tender embrace of Our Lady of Guadalupe and to the compassionate protection of St. Joseph,” a sentiment he echoed in his homily.

He said he would serve “the needs of this local church to the best of my ability.” “Your love and your prayers are greatly needed and appreciated,” he added.

Cardinal DiNardo resigns; Pope appoints new leader for Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

 

Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Joe Vásquez to Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

The Austin shepherd will succeed Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, who submitted his resignation to the Holy Father in May.

Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin (l) celebrates Mass in the Mountain View Unit prison in Gatesville, Texas, which houses the state's female death row, on Dec. 1, 2023. At right is Deacon Ronnie Lastovica. (photo: Courtesy / Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition/TDCJ Communications)

Hannah Brockhaus/CNANationJanuary 20, 2025

In an important move for the Catholic Church in Texas on Monday, Pope Francis named Austin Bishop Joe Vásquez to replace 75-year-old Cardinal Daniel DiNardo as head of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Cardinal DiNardo, who was made a cardinal in 2007 and who led the U.S. bishops’ conference as president from 2016-2019, turned 75 — the standard retirement age for Catholic bishops — in May of 2024.

The 67-year-old Bishop Vásquez is returning to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, where he served as an auxiliary bishop from 2002-2010. The bishop is coming back to the archdiocese almost exactly 15 years after moving 160 miles to the northwest to lead the Diocese of Austin.

The Mexican-American bishop also served as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Tyler from November 2023 to December 2024, after Pope Francis removed Bishop Joseph Strickland. 

The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston serves 1.7 million Catholics in 146 parishes across 10 counties in southeastern Texas. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the U.S.

According to the archdiocese, the local Church is multicultural, with members coming from every continent. Liturgies are held in 14 different languages.

Archbishop-designate Vásquez, whose seminary education included five years in Rome studying at the Pontifical Gregorian University, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo in 1984.

He grew up the oldest of six children in the small town of Stamford, in west-central Texas.

The new archbishop served as a consultant to the U.S. bishops’ conference committee on pro-life activities and as lead bishop for Region X for the V National Encounter for Hispanic/Latino Ministry (V Encuentro).

Bishop Strickland relieved of duty as Bishop of Tyler, Texas by Pope Francis

 

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler, Texas, USA 

POPE

• POPE FRANCIS
• BISHOPS

Bishop Strickland relieved of pastoral governance of US diocese

The Vatican has published the Pope’s decision concerning the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, following an apostolic visitation conducted by two US bishops.

Vatican News

The Holy Father has removed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Tyler, United States of America, and has appointed Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin as apostolic administrator of the same diocese, rendering it sede vacante.

The decision came after an apostolic visitation ordered by the Pope last June in the Diocese of Tyler, which was entrusted to two US bishops, Bishop Dennis Sullivan of Camden, and Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas of Tucson.

UPDATED

Cardinal Daniel Nicholas DiNardo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, released a statement in which he noted that the prelates who made the visit, Dennis Sullivan, the Bishop of Camden, and Gerald Kicanas, Bishop Emeritus of Tucson, “conducted an exhaustive inquired into all aspects of the governance and leadership of the Diocese of Tyler by its Ordinary, Bishop Joseph Strickland.”

“As a result of the Visitation,” the statement continues, “the recommendation was made to the Holy Father that the continuation in office of Bishop Strickland was not feasible. After months of careful consideration by the Dicastery for Bishops and the Holy Father, the decision was reached that the resignation of Bishop Strickland should be requested. Having been presented with that request on November 9, 2023, Bishop Strickland declined to resign from office.” Pope Francis then decided to remove the bishop.

“Pending more permanent arrangements for the Diocese of Tyler,” Cardinal DiNardo said, "the Holy Father has, at the same time, appointed Bishop Joe Vasquez, Bishop of Austin, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Tyler.”

Cardinal DiNardo concluded his statement, “Let us keep Bishop Strickland, the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Tyler and Bishop Vasquez in our prayers.”

This story was updated on Saturday, 11 November 2023, at 1:45 pm. 

A new Bishop for the huge Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

 

St Peter's Basilica 

POPE

• APPOINTMENTS
• POPE FRANCIS
• UNITED STATES

New Auxiliary Bishop for Galveston-Houston in US

Pope Francis appoints the Rev. Italo Dell’Oro, C.R.S. as auxiliary bishop of Galveston-Houston in the United States.

By Vatican News staff reporter

Bishop-elect Dell’Oro is a priest of the Congregation of the Somascan Fathers, and currently serves as vicar for clergy for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C. on 18 May 2021 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Father Dell’Oro was born June 20, 1953 in Malgrate, Italy. He attended the Somascan Novitiate and Theologate in Rome and made his first religious profession in 1978, and his solemn profession in 1981. He received his baccalaureate in sacred theology from the University of St. Anselmo in Rome, Italy in 1982 and a master’s degree in counseling and psychotherapy from Rivier University in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1988. He was ordained to the priesthood in Como, Italy on September 11, 1982.

Bishop-elect Dell’Oro’s assignments after ordination include: priest assistant at Pine Haven Boys Center in Allenstown, New Hampshire (1985-1992); pastor at Assumption Parish in Houston, Texas (1992-2000); dean of the Northeast Deanery in Houston (2000); vocations director at the Somascan Fathers House of Formation (2001-2005); and archdiocesan director of ministry to priests (2005-2015). He has served as the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston’s vicar for clergy and secretariat director for clergy formation and chaplain services since 2015, and the episcopal vicar for marriage affairs since 2016. He speaks English, Italian, and Spanish.

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is comprised of 8,880 square miles in the state of Texas and has a total population of 7,247,207 of which 1,700,000 are Catholic. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo is the current archbishop of Galveston-Houston.

From the USCCB meeting yesterday and final Presidential address of Cardinal DiNardo

Bishops gather for Mass on opening day of Annual General Assembly in Baltimore - USCCB photo

Cardinal DiNardo Reflects on Term as Leader of US Bishops

Also Remarks by Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

November 12, 2019 02:49Jim FairEpiscopal Conferences

The Catholic bishops of the United States convened their Fall General Assembly in Baltimore this morning. The meeting began with remarks by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops delivered his last address as president of the Conference.

Reflecting on his soon-ending term as USCCB President, Cardinal DiNardo mentioned some of the experiences during his tenure that had the biggest impact:

“Visiting the border detention centers, I remember the many hand-drawn pictures of Jesus or Mary in the children’s rooms and the long lines for confession before Mass. Separated from their families, I met dozens of children who called upon their Catholic faith and the firm knowledge that Christ and His Church would be present with them. Along with my brother bishops, we went because Jesus was already there. We followed our shepherd. I invite everyone who may hear this to share our journey of solidarity with migrants and refugees. May we accompany our sisters and brothers as Jesus accompanies us in our own struggles.

“Through the cry of a baby in her mother’s arms, I met dozens of respite center volunteers at the border. Without their generous response, that child might not have gotten the medicine she needed for her fever. They are doing God’s work.

“So are the people I’ve met in pregnancy centers across the country. They are working hard to make abortion an unnecessary choice by providing support and child-care options for expectant mothers. Public policy advocates are fighting for health care that is comprehensive enough to nurture every child’s right to life. If you are a mother feeling alone and considering abortion, please know that if you call one of our churches, a compassionate voice will answer and help identify resources. The continued fight to defend unborn children is one of the most significant things we do. And it will remain so as long as the most innocent lives are left unprotected. My life is also forever changed by meeting with survivors of abuse. When too many within the Church sought to keep them in the darkness, they refused to be relegated to the shadows. Their witness brought help to countless fellow survivors. It fueled the resolve of my brother bishops to respond with pastoral support and prevention programs. Background checks, safe environment training, expert review boards, and zero-tolerance policies are in place and working — not in spite of our past failures but rather because of them. By sharing their pain, survivors empowered us with the knowledge needed to respond. And Pope Francis has ushered in a new era of bishop accountability with a worldwide standard for investigating wrongdoing, protecting whistleblowers, and serving survivors.”

Archbishop Pierre offered encouraging words on the situation of the Church in the United States:

“Although there are challenges, there are also many dedicated Catholics who live daily their faith.  The Church in the United States has been strong not only in it defense of human life and religious liberty but also in its defense of the rights of migrants and families.  The generosity and willingness of Catholics to sacrifice is witnessed in the charitable works during times of national disasters or through Catholic Relief Services, in addressing global issues of poverty, hunger, healthcare, water, and sanitation.”

The bishops meet November 11-13 for their annual plenary in Baltimore. Public sessions of general assembly discussions and votes will be available via livestream at http://www.usccb.org/live.

Bishops quick and ready on the Amazon but what about what the people in the pews are worried about?

Ok, I get it, The Bishops are worried that the Amazon is on fire, and so they should; all of us can afford to pray for the current and ongoing situation in the Amazon. But my goodness, there is another fire that seems to need more attention and emphasis; the folks in the pew are on fire about the horrid sex-abuse crisis and the subsequent cover-ups. And yes the people are on fire to be pro-life, to stem the evil of Planned Parenthood and abortion, cry out about that! And finally, where do we prioritize the Amazon fire to the crisis of faith concerning belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist?
Now here is the important part, our Bishops have my prayers and little sacrifices for their faith to be expressed more boldly and without confusion. I love our Bishops and pray for them.

US Bishops Voice Concern About Amazon Fires

‘Let us all consider spiritual and corporal acts of mercy towards our common home and all those living in it.’

August 28, 2019 16:25ZENIT StaffNatural and human disasters

The President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace issue the following statement regarding the fires in the Amazon:

“Last Sunday, after his Angelus prayer, Pope Francis expressed concern for the fires that have developed in the Amazon, stating, ‘Let us pray that, with everyone’s commitment, they may be tamed as soon as possible.’ As bishops of the United States, we join in these heartfelt prayers and urge the faithful of our nation to support, through their petitions and concern, these efforts. As our Church begins a “Season of Creation,” culminating on October 4th, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, let us all consider spiritual and corporal acts of mercy towards our common home and all those living in it. We express solidarity with our brother bishops in Latin America who, through the Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano (CELAM), have expressed their desire for a prompt extinguishment of these fires, and welcome the decision by the Group of Seven (G7) to extend financial support for these efforts.”

And USCCB responds to shooting in Dayton

President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice Issued a Statement After a Tragic Shooting in Dayton, Ohio

 

August 4, 2019

WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, and President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development have issued the following statement in response to the tragic shooting last night in Dayton, Ohio.

Full statement follows:

“We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those murdered in Dayton last night. The lives lost this weekend confront us with a terrible truth. We can never again believe that mass shootings are an isolated exception. They are an epidemic against life that we must, in justice, face. God’s mercy and wisdom compel us to move toward preventative action. We encourage all Catholics to increased prayer and sacrifice for healing and the end of these shootings. We encourage Catholics to pray and raise their voices for needed changes to our national policy and national culture as well. We call on all relevant committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to outline a reinvigorated policy agenda and pastoral campaign to address ways we can help fight this social disease that has infected our nation. The Conference has long advocated for responsible gun laws and increased resources for addressing the root causes of violence. We also call upon the President and Congress to set aside political interests and find ways to better protect innocent life.”

USCCB responds to mass shooting in El Paso

President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Domestic Justice Chairman issued a Statement Following Shooting in El Paso

 

August 3, 2019

WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement in response to the tragic shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas.

The full statement follows:

“This Saturday, less than week after the horrific instances of gun violence in California, yet another terrible, senseless and inhumane shooting took place, this time at a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas.

Something remains fundamentally evil in our society when locations where people congregate to engage in the everyday activities of life can, without warning, become scenes of violence and contempt for human life. The plague that gun violence has become continues unchecked and spreads across our country. 

Things must change. Once again, we call for effective legislation that addresses why these unimaginable and repeated occurrences of murderous gun violence continue to take place in our communities. As people of faith, we continue to pray for all the victims, and for healing in all these stricken communities. But action is also needed to end these abhorrent acts.”

So this is the USCCB official statement on the recent decision of the administration to enforce immigration laws

President Condemns Threat of Widespread Enforcement Actions and New Rule Drastically Limiting Asylum

 

July 16, 2019

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, made the following statement in response to the climate of fear created by the Department of Homeland Security’s announced immigration enforcement actions and the Administration’s new Interim Final Rule to drastically limit asylum, which was published today:

“Enforcement actions like those anticipated this week by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency separate families, cause the unacceptable suffering of thousands of children and their parents, and create widespread panic in our communities. I condemn such an approach, which has created a climate of fear in our parishes and communities across the country. I recently wrote the President asking him to reconsider this action.

A stated intent of these actions is to deter Central Americans fleeing for their lives from seeking refuge in the United States. This is both misguided and untenable. It is contrary to American and Christian values to attempt to prevent people from migrating here when they are fleeing to save their lives and to find safety for their families.

And, in addition to this climate of fear, we have seen the Administration today take further unacceptable action to undermine the ability of individuals and families to seek protection in the United States. The Administration’s new rule on asylum eligibility presents a similar enforcement-only immigration approach. The rule adds further barriers to asylum-seekers’ ability to access life-saving protection, shirks our moral duty, and will prevent the United States from taking its usual leading role in the international community as a provider of asylum protection. Further, while still reviewing the rule, initial analysis raises serious questions about its legality.

I urge the President to reconsider these actions, the new rule, and its enforcement-only approach. I ask that persons fleeing for their lives be permitted to seek refuge in the U.S. and all those facing removal proceedings be afforded due process. All who are at or within our borders should be treated with compassion and dignity. Beyond that, a just solution to this humanitarian crisis should focus on addressing the root causes that compel families to flee and enacting a humane reform of our immigration system.

Pope Francis, in his message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2019, reminds us that ‘the presence of migrants and refugees – and of vulnerable people in general – is an invitation to recover some of those essential dimensions of our Christian existence and our humanity that risk being overlooked in a prosperous society.’”