Joe S. Vásquez
Joe Steve Vásquez (born July 9, 1957) is an American 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.
Joe Steve Vásquez | |
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Bishop of Austin titular bishop of Cova | |
Diocese | Austin |
Appointed | January 26, 2010 |
Installed | March 8, 2010 |
Predecessor | Gregory Michael Aymond |
Orders | |
Ordination | June 30, 1984 by Joseph Fiorenza |
Consecration | January 23, 2002 by Joseph Fiorenza, Patrick Flores, and Michael David Pfeifer |
Personal details | |
Born | Stamford, Texas, US | July 9, 1957
Previous post(s) | Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston (2002-2010) |
Education | University of St. Thomas Pontifical Gregorian University |
Motto | Sigueme (Let us follow) |
Styles of Joe Steve Vásquez | |
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Reference style | |
Spoken style | Your Excellency |
Religious style | Bishop |
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, 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]
See also
References
- "Curriculum Vitae". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Archived from the original on 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
- "Bishop Joe Steve Vásquez". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- Press Office of the Holy See
- The Austin Statesmen: "From humble beginnings, a bishop is formed" Archived 2010-02-14 at the Wayback Machine Feb. 6, 2010
- "Bishop Joe S. Vásquez - Diocese of Austin". Diocese of Austin. Retrieved 2023-10-13.