Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, Pope Francis named Bishop Joe S. Vásquez as the 9th Bishop and 3rd Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The priests, deacons, religious women and men, diocesan staff, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Tyler congratulate Bishop Vásquez on this profound expression of confidence in him by the Holy Father. During his time as our Apostolic Administrator, we have benefited from his steady leadership and been strengthened by his faithful life of prayer and service to God’s people. We rejoice with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston that they will have a shepherd after the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We hold Bishop Vásquez in our daily prayers as he prepares for this new mission in his priesthood. When the arrangements for the installation liturgies are announced, we will share them on our social media and website.
Until February 24, Bishop Vásquez will continue to serve as the Apostolic Administrator of Tyler. Until his installation as the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, he will remain the Bishop of Austin and will continue to lead the Church there.
During these days, please keep Bishop Vásquez in your prayers: in gratitude for his service here in Tyler as our Apostolic Administrator; and in petition for God’s grace as he prepares for this new mission as the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Let us ask the intercession of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, that Bishop Vásquez may be filled with God’s grace as he responds to this new call, and that God will guide him in every moment with his never-failing providence.
Faithfully yours in Christ Jesus,
Very Reverend John Gomez
Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator