Austin, Texas, Jan 26, 2010 / 09:54 am
Catholics of the Diocese of Austin rejoiced this morning to hear the words “Habemus episcopum! (We have a bishop!),” after it was made public that Pope Benedict appointed Auxiliary Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to be Austin’s new shepherd. Bishop Vásquez is the first Mexican-American to lead the diocese and will be its fifth bishop.
The Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S., Archbishop Pietro Sambi, made the announcement in Washington D.C. this morning. The installation ceremony will take place in Austin on March 8, 2010.
Bishop Vásquez responded to his appointment, saying “"I wish to thank Pope Benedict XVI for the confidence he has placed in me in naming me shepherd of the Diocese of Austin." He also said that offered prayers of gratitude “for Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza and the priests, religious and laity of the Archdiocese for forming me as a bishop.”
“Most of all,” Bishop Vásquez said, “I give thanks to God for the gift of priesthood, which has brought me such joy for 25 years. I trust in the Holy Spirit to enlighten me for this next step in my journey,” he added.