| |
| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
|
|
recognize the Most Reverend Bishop Joe Steve Vásquez, who was |
|
|
recently appointed to serve as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of |
|
|
Galveston-Houston by Pope Francis; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, A native of Stamford, Texas, |
|
|
Archbishop-Designate Vásquez has served the Catholic Diocese of |
|
|
Austin since 2010; he earned a bachelor's degree in theology from |
|
|
the University of Saint Thomas in Houston and a licentiate in |
|
|
sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in |
|
|
Rome; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, After his ordination into the priesthood in 1984, |
|
|
he devoted himself as a pastor and parochial vicar at churches in |
|
|
Odessa, Fort Stockton, and San Angelo; in 2002, he received |
|
|
episcopal ordination and was named auxiliary bishop of the |
|
|
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, where he gained significant |
|
|
experience as a vicar, chancellor, moderator, and secretariat |
|
|
director; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Bishop Vásquez was installed as the fifth bishop |
|
|
of the Diocese of Austin in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, and over |
|
|
the last 15 years, he has faithfully served more than 700,000 |
|
|
Catholics and religious leaders in 25 Central Texas counties; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, This esteemed bishop is returning to the |
|
|
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on March 25, 2025, to lead a |
|
|
diverse and growing ministry of 1.8 million members and to |
|
|
fulfill his mission to care for families, minister to young |
|
|
adults, and promote the priesthood for future Catholic leaders; |
|
|
he is a highly esteemed and beloved clergyman, and he is truly |
|
|
deserving of special recognition for his life of ministerial |
|
|
service; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th |
|
|
Legislature, hereby commend Archbishop-Designate Joe Steve |
|
|
Vásquez on his decades of exemplary spiritual leadership and his |
|
|
devoted service to the Diocese of Austin and extend to him best |
|
|
wishes for success in his new role as Archbishop of |
|
|
Galveston-Houston; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
|
|
him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |