Bishop Joe S. Vásquez appointed new Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

Office of Communications
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

The Vatican announced Jan. 20 that Pope Francis 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 the 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 eight 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.
In a statement following his appointment, Archbishop-Designate Vasquez,said he was grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for appointing him the next Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and expressed his appreciation to his predecessors, his Eminence, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza.
Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza ordained Vasquez as a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo and later a bishop for Galveston-Houston. “He was truly a spiritual father to me and continues to be a source of inspiration,” he said.
He added, “Cardinal DiNardo has faithfully served the needs of this Archdiocese for many years. He has been a true shepherd providing 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.
“I look forward to working with the many dedicated priests, deacons, consecrated men and women and lay faithful in this Archdiocese. 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.”
Bishop Vasquez also expressed his gratitude to the people of the Diocese of Austin, “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.”
He added, “I am grateful to God for bestowing this responsibility on me and I am humbled by this appointment. As I begin my service in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, I entrust myself to the tender embrace of Our Lady of Guadalupe and to the compassionate protection of St. Joseph.” 
Bishop Vásquez currently serves as a consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities and as Lead Bishop for Region X for the V National Encounter for Hispanic/Latino Ministry (V Encuentro).