Joseph Fiorenza

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Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

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Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza's Coat of Arms.

The Most Rev. Joseph Fiorenza is Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston. A former bishop of San Angelo, His Holiness Pope John Paul II named him Bishop of Galveston Houston in 1984. The diocese was later elavated to an Archdiocese by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 2004. Upon his retirement, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza will be succeded by Archbishop Coadjuter Daniel DiNardo. Archbishop Fiorenza presided over the dedication mass of Pope John XXIII High School

Joseph Fiorenza was born to Anthony Fiorenza and Grace Galinao on January 25, 2931 in Beaumont, Texas. He graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School in 1947, after which he studied Theology at St. Mary's Seminary in Beaumont, Texas. He was ordained there on May 29, 1954.

From 1954 to 1979 he served various positions in Catholic churches and schools, such as Assistant Pastor at Queen of Peace Church, Houston Professor of Medical Ethics at Dominican College, Houston Administrator of Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, Houston Pastor at St. Augustine Church, Houston Pastor at St. Benedict Church, Houston Pastor at Assumption Church, Houston Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, and Chancellor of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. On December 5, 1973 he was namd Prelate of Honor to His Holiness.

On September 4, 1979 Rev. Joseph Fiorenza was named as the Bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. He was ordained and installed on October 25, 1979 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

On December 18, 1984 Bishop Joseph Fiorenza was named Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Galveston-Houston by Pope John Paul II He was installed as Bishop of Galveston-Houston by Archbishop Patrick Flores in the presence of Archbishop Pio Laghi, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio at the time. The Diocese of Galveston-Houston was made an Archdiocese by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on Dec. 29, 2004.

Miscelaneous responsibilities that Archbishop Fiorenza has served in the past include:
Member of the Administrative Board of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1995-present
Former member of the Bishops' Committee for Black Catholics
Vice-President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops - 1995-1998
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association
Member of the Board of Trustees of the University of St. Thomas, Houston
President of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities
President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops - 1998-2001