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Current Catholic Bishop of Austin From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joe Steve Vásquez (born July 9, 1957) is a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as the bishop of the Diocese of Austin in Texas since 2010. Additionally, he serves as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas since November 2023.
Joe Steve Vásquez | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Austin | |
| Diocese | Austin |
| Appointed | January 26, 2010 |
| Installed | March 8, 2010 |
| Predecessor | Gregory Michael Aymond |
| Other post(s) | Apostolic Administrator of Tyler (2023 – ) |
| Previous post(s) | Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston (2002-2010) Titular Bishop of Cova (2002-2010) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 30, 1984 by Joseph Fiorenza |
| Consecration | January 23, 2002 by Joseph Fiorenza, Patrick Flores, and Michael David Pfeifer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 9, 1957 Stamford, Texas, US |
| Education | University of St. Thomas Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto | Sígueme (Follow Me) |
| Styles of Joe Steve Vásquez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Vásquez previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas from 2001 to 2010.
Joe Vásquez, who is of Mexican American descent, was born on July 9, 1957, in Stamford, Texas, to Juan (b. 1933) and Elvira Vásquez (d. 2005). His father, a Korean War veteran, dropped out of school in the second grade to support his family and later made a living as a mechanic. The oldest of six children, Joe Vásquez has three brothers, Robert, Samuel, and James; and two sisters, Cynthia and Consuelo.[1]
Vásquez attended public schools in Stamford and Abilene, Texas. From 1976 to 1980, he studied at St. Mary Seminary and the University of St. Thomas, both in Houston, obtaining his Bachelor of Theology degree.[1] He then furthered his studies at the Pontifical North American College and Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 1980 to 1985.[1]
Vásquez was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza for the Diocese of San Angelo on June 30, 1984.[2]
After his 1984 ordination, the diocese named Vásquez as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Odessa, Texas. He left Odessa in 1987 to became pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Fort Stockton, Texas, where he remained for the next 10 years. The diocese in 1997 transferred Vásquez to St. Joseph Parish in San Angelo, Texas, to serve as pastor there.[1]
During his time in San Angelo, Vásquez also served as the episcopal vicar for Hispanics and was a member of the presbyteral council and the finance board.[1]
On November 30, 2001, Vásquez was appointed auxiliary bishop of Galveston-Houston and titular bishop of Cova by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on January 23, 2002, from Fiorenza, with Archbishop Patrick Flores and Bishop Michael Pfeifer serving as co-consecrators.[2] Vásquez selected as his episcopal motto: "Sígueme."[1]
While auxiliary bishop, Vásquez served as vicar general/chancellor of the archdiocese.[3]
On January 26, 2010, Vásquez was appointed as bishop of Austin by Pope Benedict XVI, filling the vacancy left by Bishop Gregory Aymond. Vásquez was installed on March 8, 2010.[3][2]
In January 2019, the diocese released a list of 22 clerics with credible accusations of sexual abuse. Vásquez expressed his apologies to parishioners for their alleged crimes.[4]
On November 11, 2023 Vásquez was appointed by Pope Francis to also serve as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Tyler after the pope dismissed Bishop Joseph Strickland.[5]
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