His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Joe Steve Vásquez
Bishop of Austin
DioceseAustin
AppointedJanuary 26, 2010
InstalledMarch 8, 2010
PredecessorGregory Michael Aymond
Other post(s)Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Tyler (2023–)
Orders
OrdinationJune 30, 1984
by Joseph Fiorenza
ConsecrationJanuary 23, 2002
by Joseph Fiorenza, Patrick Flores, and Michael David Pfeifer
Personal details
Born (1957-07-09) July 9, 1957
Stamford, Texas, US
Previous post(s)Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston (2002-2010)
Titular Bishop of Cova (2002-2010)
EducationUniversity of St. Thomas
Pontifical Gregorian University
MottoSígueme (Follow Me)
Coat of armsJoe Steve Vásquez's coat of arms
Styles of
Joe Steve Vásquez
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

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. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas from 2001 to 2010.

Biography

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]

Priesthood

Vásquez was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza for the Diocese of San Angelo on June 30, 1984.[2] He then served as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Odessa, Texas, until 1987, when he became pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Fort Stockton, Texas. From 1997 to 2002, Vásquez served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in San Angelo, Texas.[1]

Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston

On November 30, 2001, Vásquez was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and titular bishop of Cova by Pope John Paul II.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on January 23, 2002, from Archbishop Fiorenza, with Archbishop Patrick Flores and Bishop Michael Pfeifer serving as co-consecrators.[2] Vásquez selected as his episcopal motto: "Sígueme."[1]

Bishop of Austin

On January 26, 2010 Vásquez was appointed as bishop of the Diocese of Austin by Pope Benedict XVI, filling the vacancy left by Bishop Gregory Aymond.[3][4] Vásquez was installed as the Bishop of Austin on March 8, 2010.[5]

Apostolic administrator of Tyler

On 11 November 2023 Vásquez was appointed by Pope Francis as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Tyler upon the dismissal of Bishop Joseph Strickland.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Curriculum Vitae". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Archived from the original on 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  2. 1 2 3 "Bishop Joe Steve Vásquez". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Press Office of the Holy See
  4. ↑ The Austin Statesmen: "From humble beginnings, a bishop is formed" Archived 2010-02-14 at the Wayback Machine Feb. 6, 2010
  5. ↑ "Bishop Joe S. Vásquez - Diocese of Austin". Diocese of Austin. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  6. ↑ Mares, Courtney (November 11, 2023). "Pope Francis Relieves Bishop Strickland of His Duties in Diocese of Tyler". National Catholic Register. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
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