A new archbishop has been appointed to the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.
On Monday, 75-year-old Cardinal Daniel DiNardo declared that Pope Francis had accepted his resignation and named Austin Bishop Joe V. Squez to succeed him.
Serving over 150 parishes in a 10-county area, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston provides services to approximately 1.8 million Catholics.
After 19 years in the position, DiNardo said, “On the one hand, I’m happy that I can call it a retirement.” However, I’m thrilled that Archbishop Vasquez will be attending.
DiNardo succeeded Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza in 2006 after being appointed coadjutor bishop of Galveston-Houston in 2004. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals at Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica a year later.
“I’m sure I’m leaving the church in good hands,” DiNardo remarked.
“Bishop Vasquez is a faithful, articulate and what s very important, bi-cultural Bishop, who has wisely led the Diocese of Austin for the last 15 years,” DiNardo stated.
V. Squez, who will be the ninth person to occupy the role in the Houston area, stated that encouraging priesthood vocations and getting younger people to attend Catholic churches will be his top priority.
“To me, the young people are essential that we keep them close to the church,” V squez stated. “It s our responsibility to attract them so that they re able to live out their faith in a lively way, a dynamic way.”
The 67-year-old Archbishop-Designate V Squez has been a priest for over 40 years, having been consecrated for the Diocese of San Angelo in 1984.
According to the archdiocese, he was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop for Galveston-Houston in 2002, making him the youngest active bishop in the country.
In 2015, he was named Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, where he has been for the past 15 years.
“We are joyful in welcoming him back to the local church,” stated DiNardo.
The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston will host V. Squez’s installation as the ninth archbishop of Galveston-Houston on March 25.
“I m grateful to God for bestowing this responsibility on me, and I m humbled by this appointment,” V squez stated.