Bishops of Texas

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo | Archbishop José H. Gomez |
 Bishop Patrick Zurek | Bishop Joe Vasquez | Bishop Curtis John Guillory | Bishop Daniel Flores | Bishop Edmond Carmody | Bishop Kevin J. Farrell | Bishop Armando Ochoa | Bishop Kevin W. Vann | Bishop James Tamayo |
| Bishop Placido Rodriguez | Bishop Michael Pfeifer | Bishop Alvaro Corrada | Bishop David E. Fellhauer

Auxiliary and Emeritus Bishops

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo became the ordinary or chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on February 28, 2006 when Pope Benedict XVI officially approved the retirement of Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza. DiNardo was welcomed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston on March 26, 2004. The appointment by Pope John Paul II made him the immediate successor to Bishop Fiorenza as the pastoral leader of the 1.3 million Catholics in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. When Galveston-Houston was designated an archdiocese by Pope John Paul II on December 29, 2004, Bishop DiNardo was also elevated to archbishop coadjutor. He was elevated to Cardinal on November 24, 2007.

Cardinal DiNardo was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on May 23, 1949, the son of Nicholas and Jane (Green) DiNardo. Cardinal DiNardo was ordained a priest on July 16, 1977 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and assigned to St. Pius X Church, Pittsburgh, as Parochial Vicar. He became Diocesan Ordinary on November 28, 1998.Archbishop DiNardo currently serves on the Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He also serves as the USCCB Advisor to the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and the National Catholic Partnership for Persons with Disabilities, Washington, D.C.

Archbishop José H. Gomez, Archbishop of San Antonio

Most Rev. José H. Gomez, S.T.D., was installed Archbishop of San Antonio on February 15, 2005, at San Fernando Cathedral. Pope Benedict XVI conferred the Pallium on Archbishop Gomez in Rome, on June 29, 2005. Archbishop Gomez had served as Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, Moderator of the Curia, Vicar General and Pastor of Mother of God Church since 2001. Archbishop Gomez was born on December 26, 1951, in Monterrey, Mexico, the son of Dr. José H. Gomez and Esperanza Velasco, both deceased. Archbishop Gomez was ordained a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature on August 15, 1978, by late Cardinal Franz Konig, Archbishop Emeritus of Vienna, at the Shrine of Torrecuidad, Spain. For his Episcopal motto, Archbishop Gomez chose a scriptural passage from the Letter to the Hebrews: "Let us go forth with confidence to the Throne of Grace." (Heb. 4:16) Archbishop Gomez presently serves on the following boards and committees: Chair: Ad Hoc Committee on the Spanish Language Bible for the Church in America (USCCB), 2003; Committee on Doctrine (USCCB), 2002; Committee on Hispanic Affairs (USCCB), 2002; Committee for Priestly Life & Ministry (USCCB), 2003; Board of Directors of the Catholic Legal Immigration, Inc.; Committee on Catechesis (USCCB), 2005; Hispanic Liturgy Subcommittee (USCCB), 2005; Trustee Historical Centre Foundation, San Fernando Cathedral; Board of Directors of Assumption Seminary.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, STLwas born in Sealy, Texas to Arnold and Victoria (Bohac) Zurek on August 17, 1948. He was ordained as Deacon at North American College Seminary in Vatican City State on May 9, 1974. On June 29, 1975 he was ordained into the priesthood at St. Peter's Basilica by Principle Consecrator Pope Paul VI. He began serving as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio in 1998 and was installed as Bishop of Amarillo on February 22, 2008.

Bishop Zurek serves served as a liaison for the National Advisory Council (USCCB) from 999-2002, the Committee on Evangelization (USCCB) from 1999-2003, and currently serves on the USCCB Planning Committee to develop New Spanish Bible for USCCB, CCC, and CELAM.

Bishop Zurek can speak English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Czech.

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez

Bishop Vasquez, 52, was ordained as a bishop in January 2002 and served as Galveston-Houston's auxiliary bishop until his installation as Bishop of Austin in 2010. Since 2006, at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Bishop Vasquez was the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston's Vicar General/Chancellor, overseeing the administrative operations of the largest diocese in Texas and the 11th largest diocese in the U.S. He has also served as Episcopal Vicar for Hispanics and he has been the Archdiocesan Liaison for Youth during his years in Galveston-Houston.

Bishop Vasquez was born July 9, 1957 in Stamford, Texas to Juan and Elvira Vasquez (deceased). He is the oldest child and has three brothers: Robert Vasquez, Samuel Vasquez (deceased) and James Vasquez and two sisters: Cynthia Martinez and Consuelo Elrod. He attended public schools in Stamford and Abilene and then studied theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston from 1976 to 1980. He attended the Gregorian University, North American College, in Rome from 1980 to 1985. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo on June 30, 1984 by Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza. In the Diocese of San Angelo he served as associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Odessa from 1985 to 1987; as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Fort Stockton from 1987 to 1997 and as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in San Angelo from 1997 to 2002.

Bishop Vasquez succeeds Bishop Gregory Aymond who was appointed Archbishop of New Orleans by Pope Benedict XVI last year. The Diocese of Austin includes 127 parishes and missions in 25 Central Texas counties spread over 19,000 square miles. There are approximately 500,000 Catholics within the diocese.

For more information on the Diocese of Austin, visit www.austindiocese.org.

Bishop Curtis Guillory, S.V.D. Bishop of Beaumont

Bishop Curtis John Guillory became the fifth bishop of the 34-year-old Beaumont Diocese on July 28, 2000. He is the first Beaumont bishop to be a member of a religious community. He is a member of the Society of the Divine Word. While an active bishop, he remains a member of that community but is not under its jurisdiction. Curtis John Guillory was born to Wilfred and Theresa Guillory on September 1, 1943, in Mallet, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. He is the oldest of 16 children (six sons, ten daughters); all but one are still living. His ordination was at his home parish of St. Ann in Mallet on December 16, 1972, by Bishop Carlos Lewis, a member of the Divine Word Community, of Panama. Father Guillory was announced as auxiliary bishop of the Galveston-Houston Diocese on December 29, 1987, and ordained on February 19, 1988. The bishop, whose French name means "Little William," chose for his episcopal motto Romans 8:28: "For those who love God, all things work together for good."Bishop Guillory also served on the national committee on Hispanic Affairs and Priestly Life and Ministry, and the boards of Sacred Heart Seminary and Xavier University. His civic services include the board of the YMCA, the Mental Health Association, and the Harris County Hospital District.

Bishop Daniel E. Flores, S.T.D.  was appointed as the new shepherd of the diocese of Brownsville on Dec. 9, 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.

Fernando Javier Flores and Lydia Dilley Flores, the parents of Daniel E. Flores, were both born of families long established around the town of Zapata, Texas, with roots on both sides of the border between Texas and Mexico. They married in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1958, and began to raise their family in that city. During the first years of their marriage, seeking work to support his family, Daniel's father worked construction, and for this reason the family moved frequently. They lived for a time in various towns, such as Palacios, Texas, Luling, Louisiana, Meridian, Mississippi, McAllen, Texas and Zapata, Texas. They would return to Corpus Christi whenever work was available in the area. Daniel Flores, second son of Fernando and Lydia, was born in 1961 in Palacios, Texas.

He was baptized at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Zapata, Texas. Daniel received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation at Saint Paul the Apostle Church in the Flour Bluff area of Corpus Christi. He graduated from Flour Bluff High School in 1979. During high school, he began to consider the possibility of studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Corpus Christi. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for two years, prior to entering the seminary. In 1981, he entered Holy Trinity Seminary, an institution associated to the University of Dallas. He received a a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 1983, and a Masters of Divinity in 1987. He completed his preparations for the priesthood in 1988.

In January 1988, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Corpus Christi by Bishop Rene H. Gracida. As a priest of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, he served in a number of capacities, including Parochial Vicar at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Secretary to the Bishop, Diocesan Master of Ceremonies, Assistant Chancellor, Rector of the Saint John Vianney House of Studies, and Episcopal Vicar for Vocations. In September 1995, Pope John Paul II named him a Chaplain to His Holiness, with the honorary title of Monsignor. In September 1997, he was sent by Bishop Roberto Gonzalez, OFM, to Rome to pursue a doctoral degree in the theology of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He resided at the North American College, Casa Santa Maria in Rome, while studying at the Pontifical University of St.Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum). He completed his degree (S.T.D.) in 2000. He returned to Corpus Christi that year, and was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Corpus Christi by Bishop Edmond Carmody.

In August 2001, he was sent to serve in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston as part of the formation faculty of St. Maryā€™s Seminary and the teaching faculty at the University of St. Thomas School of Theology, in Houston, Texas. He taught courses in Patristics, Medieval and Thomistic Theology, and Modern Catholic Literature. He was named Vice-Rector of St. Mary' Seminary in June 2002. In September 2 2005, Bishop Edmond Carmody named him to serve as Rector of Corpus Christi Cathedral, in Corpus Christi, Texas. During the months of the scholastic year 2005-2006, he administered Corpus Christi Cathedral while completing his seminary duties in Houston, Texas. In June of 2006, he returned to the Diocese of Corpus Christi to assume the position of Cathedral Rector on a full time basis.

In October 2006, Pope Benedict XVI named Monsignor Flores auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit, in Michigan. He was ordained on November 29, 2006, in a ceremony presided over by Adam Cardinal Maida, Archbishop of Detroit. Recognizing the growing population of Catholics of Hispanic heritage in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Cardinal Maida named Bishop Flores to oversee Hispanic ministry in the Archdiocese. At the same time, he gave his responsibility over a region of the Archdiocese, and he directed him to teach theology at the Archdiocesan Major Seminary (Sacred Heart Major Seminary). With time, he was assigned as Episcopal liaison to the Cardinal for Black Catholic Affairs in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and moderator of matters related to Catholic hospitals in the Archdiocese. Bishop Flores continued with these responsibilities under the direction of Archbishop Allen Vigneron, who was named Archbishop of Detroit in January, 2008.

On a national level, as a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Flores serves as a member of the subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs, and as a member of the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. He was elected to serve on the board of directors of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the charitable arm of the United States Bishops Conference for international assistance. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC), located in San Antonio, Texas, and also serves on the board of directors of the Instituto Cultural de Liderazgo Medio Este, (ICLM), centered at South Bend, Indiana. Bishop Flores' father passed away in 1984; that same year his maternal grandmother, Teresa Dilley, also passed away. She was always an intimate part of the Flores-Dilley family. Bishop Flores' mother lives in Corpus Christi, Texas. He has two brothers and one sister. He has numerous nephews and nieces. He also maintains close relations with his aunts, and cousins, and other familial relations established over the years.

Spanish Biography

Bishop Edmond Carmody, the second of a family of thirteen children of Michael Carmody and Mary Stack, was born in Moyvane, County Kerry, Ireland, on January 12, 1934. In September of 1951, he entered the Major Seminary of St. Patrick in Carlow, where he was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of San Antonio on June 8, 1957. In 1983, Bishop Carmody went with the St. James Society as a Missionary to Latin America, where he worked for five years as a Missionary in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Only a few days before completing his five-year Missionary assignment there, he was called home by Archbishop Patrick Flores because Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio. He was ordained as a Bishop on December 15, 1988. Bishop Carmody served as Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio from 1988 until 1992. On May 25, 1992, he was installed Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. On February 3, 2000, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Carmody Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas. He was installed the seventh Bishop on March 17, 2000. Bishop Carmody currently serves as a member on the Marriage and Family Life Committee for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. At the November 2000 meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Carmody was elected Chairman of the Church in Latin America Committee Bishop Carmody served on the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Adhoc Hoc Committee on Economic Concerns of the Holy See (Jan. 2001) and the USCC Bishops' Committee on World Mission (Nov. 2001)

Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, Bishop of Dallas

Bishop Kevin J. Farrell was appointed Seventh Bishop of Dallas on March 6, 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. He will succeed Bishop Charles V. Grahmann who has served as Sixth Bishop of Dallas since July 15, 1990 and offered his resignation last July 15 on his 75th birthday. Installation ceremonies for Bishop Farrell will be May 1, 2007, at 2 p.m., at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell was born in Dublin, Ireland in September 1947. One of four boys, he graduated from the Irish Christian Brothers High School in Drimnagh, Dublin. He entered the novitiate of the Legionnaires of Christ in 1966 and received an M.A. in Philosophy and an S.T.L. in Theology after studies in Rome.

After being ordained to the priesthood in Rome on December 24, 1978, then-Father Farrell was assigned to be the chaplain for the University of Monterrey in Mexico. While there, he conducted seminars in bioethics and social ethics.

Bishop Farrell first visited the United States in 1967 while raising funds for the missions of Latin America through the Propagation of the Faith. His first assignment in the Archdiocese of Washington was as associate pastor at St. Peter, Olney in 1984. He then served at St. Bartholomew in Bethesda and St. Thomas the Apostle in Washington, DC.

In 1986, he was chosen by Cardinal James A. Hickey to be the director of the Spanish Catholic Center, an agency of the Archdiocese of Washington that primarily serves the Hispanic community and new immigrants through legal assistance, education, employment assistance and health care. In 1987, Bishop Farrell also became assistant executive director of Catholic Charities and then was named the interim director in 1988.

From 1989 to March 2001, he served as Secretary of Finance for the Archdiocese of Washington. He was named a Prelate of Honor, with the title of Monsignor, in 1995 by Pope John Paul II. From October 2000 to March 2002, he was pastor of Annunciation parish in Northwest Washington, DC. Since March 2001, he has served as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of Washington. He was ordained an auxiliary bishop in Washington, DC on February 11, 2002.

Bishop Farrell is fluent in Italian and Spanish. His brother, Bishop Brian Farrell, is on staff at the Vatican.

Bishop Armando Ochoa was born on April 3, 1943 and was ordained in May of 1970. He served as Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles and Titular Bishop of Sitifis prior to coming to El Paso, where he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of El Paso in 1996.

Bishop Ochoa serves on the Bishops' Migration Committee and participated in a Delegation on Compassionate Mission to the Border in October, 2006. The Bishop works to further many causes including diocesan foster-care programs and responsible water use.

Bishop Kevin Vann, Bishop of Fort Worth

Bishop Kevin W. Vann was ordained and installed as the third bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth on Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum at Texas Christian University.

Appointed Bishop-designate of Fort Worthin May of 2005, he served as vicar for priests of the diocese and on the diocesan Committee for Hispanic Ministry, the Commission for the Care of Infirm and Retired Priests, the Priests' Personnel Board, and the Presbyteral Council.

Bishop Vann was born on May 10, 1951 and is the oldest of six children. He was ordained in the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois on May 30, 1981. He served as the pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield - incidentally the church that he was baptized in and that his parents were married in! Bishop Vann has received two degrees from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, a licentiate and a doctorate in canon law and has also studied Spanish in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Bishop James A. Tamayo, Bishop of Laredo

Bishop James Tamayo was born October 23, 1949 in Brownsville, Texas. He was ordained to the priesthood June 11, 1976 at Corpus Christi Cathedral - Corpus Christi, Texas by Most Reverend Thomas J. Drury, D.D. He was ordained Titular Bishop of Ita and Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston on March 10, 1993 at the Sam Houston Coliseum - Houston, Texas.

Bishop Tamayo was installed as the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Laredo on August 9, 2000. He has served as Chairman of the Bishops' Committee on Hispanic Affairs, Vice President, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., Board of Directors, the National Episcopal Advisor, Cursillo Movement and a member of the Committee on the Home Missions, the Liturgy Subcommittee on Spanish Language Text, the Bishops' Committee on Hispanic Affairs (1999- present), the Bishops' Subcommittee on Hispanic Liturgy (1999 - present), the Bishops' Committee on Pastoral Practices (1999 - present), the subcommittee on Youth of the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women & Youth (1996 - 1999), the USCCB International Policy Committee 1996-1999), the NCCB/USSS National Advisory Council (1996-1999), and the NCCB/USCCB Administrative Board (1996-1999).

Bishop Placido Rodriguez, CMF, Bishop of Lubbock

Bishop Placido Rodriguez was born on October 11, 1940, the 11th of 14 children born to Eutemio and Maria Concepcion Rodriguez. He attended Celaya's Colegio Vasco de Quiroga, a Catholic elementary school, until January 13, 1953 when his father and mother emigrated to Chicago with their six youngest children. Bishop Rodriguez was ordained a Claretian priest in Chicago. He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago where he served in this role for 8 years before being appointed the third bishop of the diocese of Lubbock in 1995. Bishop Rodriguez currently serves as Chairman of the Bishops' Committee on Hispanic Affairs.

Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, Bishop of San Angelo

Bishop Michael Pfeifer was born in Alamo, Texas in the Diocese of Brownsville on M ay 18, 1937. He was ordained a priest for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on December 21, 1964. Bishop Pfeifer served as an Oblate priest in various assignments, including many years as a missionary in Mexico. He was elected Provincial of the Southern Province of the Oblates, and while in that position was named Fifth Bishop of San Angelo by Pope John Paul II on May 31, 1985. He was consecrated a Bishop and installed in San Angelo on July 26, 1985

Bishop Alvaro Corrada, S.J., Bishop of Tyler

Bishop Ɓlvaro Corrada was born in Sunturce, Puerto Rico in 1942, Bishop Corrada received his first formation at the public schools of his hometown, Morovis, Puerto Rico. In 1960 he joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), New York Province at St. Andrew on Hudson, Poughkeepsie, New York. The Most Reverend Miguel Rodriguez, CSsR, ordained him a priest on July 6, 1974 at his hometown of Morovis, Puerto Rico. His Holiness John Paul II named him Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, D.C. on May 30, 1985 and was ordained Bishop on August 4, 1985 by His Eminence Cardinal James Hickey, Archbishop of Washington, D.C. at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. In 1997 His Holiness, John Paul II appointed Bishop Corrada, Apostolic Administrator Sede Plena of the Diocese of Caguas, Puerto Rico. In 1998 Bishop Corrada was appointed Apostolic Administrator Sede Vacante of the Diocese. On December 5, 2000 His Holiness John Paul II appointed Bishop Corrada, third Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. His installation took place in Tyler on the 30th of January 2001.

Bishop David E. Fellhauer, Bishop of Victoria

Bishop David E. Fellhauer was born August 19, 1939 in Kansas City, MO. He was ordained a priest for the (then) Diocese of Dallas-Fort Worth on May 29, 1965. He was appointed the second Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria on April 7, 1990 and ordained and installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria in Texas on May 28, 1990.

Bishop Fellhauer received a doctorate in Canon Law from Saint Paul University in 1979. He received the Role of Law award from the Canon Law Society of America 29 years later in 1998 and serves on the Committee on Canonical Affairs for the USCCB.

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Auxiliary and Emeritus Bishops

 

Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza

Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza was born January 25, 1931 in Beaumont, Texas to Anthony and Grace Galiano, both deceased. He was ordained to the priesthood May 29, 1954 at Seminary Chapel, St. Mary's Seminary, LaPorte, Texas. He was named bishop of San Angelo by Pope John Paul II on September 4, 1979. He was ordained and installed on October 25, 1979. He was named Bishop of Galveston-Houston by Pope John Paul II on December 18, 1984 and installed on February 18, 1984. December 29, 2004 he was named Archbishop of Galveston-Houston by Pope John Paul II. On February 28, 2006 he became Archbishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston succeeded by Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo.

 

 

 

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Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores

Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores was born born on July 26, 1929, seventh among the nine children of Patrico and Trinidad Fernandez de Flores in Ganado, Texas. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1956. Flores began his career at Holy Name Parish, Guardian Angel Parish, then St. Joseph's-St. Stephen's parish as assistant pastor and pastor. An activist from the beginning, he directed the Christian Family Movement and the Bishop's Committee for the Spanish Speaking, a ministry that encouraged bilingual congregations. After Pope John Paul VI named Flores auxiliary to the archbishop of San Antonio in May of 1970, within months, he advanced to interim bishop, becoming the first native Texan to head the state's largest archdiocese and the first Mexican American to attain so powerful a position in the Roman Catholic Church. He became the archbishop of San Antonio, Texas in 1979

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Auxiliary

Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantu

Bishop Oscar Cantu S.T.L. was born December 5, 1966, in Houston, Texas, the son of Ramiro and Maria de Jesus Cantu, natives of small towns near Monterrey, Mexico. He is the fifth of eight children, five boys and three girls. Bishop Cantu is a product of Houston's Catholic schools, attending Holy Name Catholic School and St. Thomas High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dallas.

He then received his Master in Divinity and Master in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He continued at the Pontifical Gregorian University, located in Rome, where he earned his S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology. He currently is completing his work for a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology. Bishop Cantu was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Houston on May 21, 1994.

He has spent his priestly career working in parishes throughout the Houston metropolitan area. His first assignment following his ordination was as parochial vicar at St. Christopher Parish in Houston. Since 2003, he has taught at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He also has taught at the University of St. Thomas School of Theology located at St. Mary's Seminary. Bishop Cantu is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and French.

While still a seminarian, Bishop Cantu worked on a committee consisting of diocesan leaders and chaired by Laredo's Bishop James Tamayo. Its purpose was to develop, promulgate, and promote a plan for Hispanic ministry. Since his priestly ordination, Bishop Cantu has participated in number of ministries and movements in Houston. He was involved in the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano (MFC), a national network of parish/neighborhood small groups of Catholics and their families who come together to reinforce their Christian values. He conducted three retreats per year with the youth of the MFC in the Galvestonā€Houston Archdiocese. Bishop Cantu also worked with those preparing for marriage through the Engaged Encounter ministry. From 2004 to 2007, Bishop Cantu coā€hosted an interfaith radio show in Houston called "Show of Faith." His coā€hosts included a Jewish rabbi and a Protestant minister. The program discussed issues from the perspective of their individual faith traditions.

Bishop Cantu has also been involved in The Metropolitan Organization (TMO). Its mission is to publicly address important social issues in the community such as fair housing, immigration, education and many others. Bishop Cantu was appointed Titular Bishop of Dardano and Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio on April 10, 2008. He was ordained, Monday, June 2, 2008 at St. Mark the Evangelist Church in San Antonio, TX by The Most Reverend José H. Gomez, S.T.D., Archbishop of San Antonio.

Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan, DD

Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan, DD was born in Rathmore, County Kildare, Ireland on October 23, 1930 to Patrick and Mary McNamara Flanagan, both deceased. Bishop Flanagan is the oldest of 8 children. On June 10, 1956 he was ordained into the priesthood at the Cathedral of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thurles, County Tipperary, Ire. He was ordained as Monsignor in San Antonio, Texas on November 29, 1989 and as Bishop on February 1998.

 

Bishop Emeritus Rene H. Gracida, DD

Bishop Emeritus Rene H. Gracida, DD was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Enrique J. Gracida Carrizosa and Mathilde Derbes on June 9, 1923. Bishop Gracida was the first bishop of Pensacola-Tallahasseefrom 1975 to 1983. In 1983 he became Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas, where he served as Bishop until 1997. Before he was ordained to the priesthood in 1959, Bishop Gracida was a combat flight engineer during World War II. He accepted an appointment as titular bishop of Masuccaba before his assignment in Miami in 1971. With the Miami Archdiocese, he served as education superintendent and vicar general. His volunteer work has included board member of Catholic Relief Services, Texas A & I University Foundation, and the University of Steubenville's youth evangelization group. His responsibilities with the U.S. Bishops have ranged from work on their pro-life committee, to communications and migration groups, and the Catholic Campaign for America.

Bishop Charles Grahmann, Bishop of Dallas

Bishop Emeritus John McCarthy

Bishop Emeritus John McCarthy was born June 21, 1930, in Houston to George McCarthy and Grace O'Brien McCarthy (both deceased). He graduated from St. Thomas High School in Houston; received his bachelor's degree from University of St. Thomas in Houston in 1956; and a master's in theology from University of St. Thomas in Houston in 1979. Bishop McCarthy was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 1956 and ordained to office of bishop March 14, 1979 in Houston. On February 26, 1986 he was installed as bishop of the Austin Diocese and retired January 2, 2001.

Bishop Raymundo J. Pena was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on Feb. 19, 1934 to parents Cosme A. Pena and Elisa Ramon Pena. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1957 at Corpus Christi Cathedral in Corpus Christi, Texas by the Most Reverend Mariano S. Garriaga, D.D., LL.D. He was named the titular Bishop of Trisipa and Auxiliary to the Archbishop of San Antonio on October 16, 1976. Bishop Peļæ½a was ordained Bishop on Dec. 13, 1976, Convention Center Arena, near San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas. On April 29, 1980, he was appointed bishop of El Paso where he served for 15 years. Bishop Pena was appointed the 5^th bishop of Brownsville on May 23, 1995, and installed as Bishop of Brownsville on August 6, 1995.Bishop Pena has served as Chairman, Bishop's Committee for Church in Latin America, a member of the Pastoral Response to the Challenge of Proselytism Committee, and was appointed by the Vatican on the Pre Synod Council - Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishop for America, as a Synod Father - Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishop for America.

Auxiliary Bishop Bernard F. Popp. DD

Auxiliary Bishop Bernard F. Popp, DD was born December 6, 1917. On February 24, 1942 he was ordained to the priesthood. He was appointed Titular Bishop of Capsus on June 7, 1983. His Episcopal ordination was held at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio on July 25, 1983.

 

Auxiliary Bishop Vincent M. Rizzotto, DD, J.C.L

Auxiliary Bishop Vincent M. Rizzotto, DD, J.C. L was ordained a priest on May 26, 1956 and ordained bishop on July 31, 2001. He serves on the following: Chair- Priest Personnel Board, Vicar of African American Catholics, Vicar of Ethnic Ministries, and Director for Secretariat of Chaplaincy Services and Clergy Formation.