from Bishop Vásquez: "Out of pastoral concern for the people of central Texas, I am suspending all public Masses and liturgies throughout the diocese, effective immediately. While I hoped we would be able to continue to celebrate public Mass, I made this decision after prayerful discernment and in light of recent recommendations from public health officials. "

Following an order by the City of Austin and Travis County, as of 2 a.m. March 15, parish gatherings are restricted to 250 people. The order goes through May 1. The limit applies only to parishes within the City of Austin and Travis County.

With situations and circumstances constantly changing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have curated the latest information from Bishop Vásquez and various diocesan departments to help you stay up to date.

AUSTIN, Texas – Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, of the Diocese of Austin, issued the following statement on Nov. 5, 2019: “Some months back, I learned that legitimate and serious doubts have been raised regarding the conviction of Mr. Rodney Reed who is scheduled to be executed in Texas on Nov. 20, 2019.

“I am saddened for the people of Westphalia who have suffered this tremendous loss,” said Bishop Joe S. Vásquez. “I am grateful for all the firefighters and departments that responded to the fire. Please join me in keeping the people of this historic parish in your prayers today as they try to piece together this tragedy.”

"I was shocked to hear the news of the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It is truly sad to know that this place of worship for centuries has been partially destroyed in this tragedy.

Today we received great news from Holy Father Pope Francis: he has appointed Austin Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Garcia as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey (California).

– Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, of the Diocese of Austin, joined the other 15 Texas bishops in announcing today he will publish, by Jan. 31, 2019, the names of clergy, from 1950 forward, who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families and friends of all those affected by the package explosions which have taken place this month in Austin and San Antonio, the latest of which occurred early this morning. These appalling attacks have killed and injured innocent people, young adults, and children who were in their homes, bicycling on the street, and working at their jobs.

We announce with great joy that Pope Francis has appointed Holy Cross Father Bill Wack, pastor of St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin, as the sixth Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida.

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) is disappointed by the Texas House’s vote to pass SB 4, which will punish local police officers if they do not fully cooperate with detainer requests issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). SB 4 would also allow local peace officers to inquire into the legal status of people who are arrested or detained.

— A coalition of faith-based organizations, including the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Texas Baptist Christian Life Comission, Austin Interfaith and the Texas Industrial Areas Foundation, are stepping up the pressure for the Texas Legislature to reject so-called “anti-sanctuary city” bills.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of the Diocese of Austin issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s Executive Order “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States”:

We announce with great joy that Pope Francis has appointed Father David Konderla, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station, as the fourth Bishop of Tulsa, Okla. He succeeds retiring Bishop Edward Slattery, who will be 76 in August and who was appointed Bishop of Tulsa in 1994.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez and Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Garcia will host a press conference on Monday, Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. at Bishop’s Hall on the campus of St. Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin.

I am deeply saddened by the Supreme Court’s decision to require States to recognize same-sex marriages, because the opinion is based on the court’s belief that the culture has changed its views of marriage. This causes confusion among those who are faithful to the Gospel and erodes rights of persons in each State.

I, like many of you, was completely shocked by the act of violence in Charleston, S.C., at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Houses of worship should be places of comfort and peace.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in which 1.5 million people perished and millions more were displaced and subjected to deportation, torture, starvation and massacre. In remembrance of this atrocity, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on April 12, 2015. Likewise, in the Diocese of Austin, Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin on Sunday, April 12, 2015.

Today we received great news from Holy Father Pope Francis: he has appointed Vicar General Daniel E. Garcia as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Austin. This is the first time in the 67-year history of the Diocese of Austin that an auxiliary bishop has been appointed to serve in the diocese.

As part of a process in developing a Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of Austin, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez announced the opening of a survey intended to capture information to help the diocese plan for the next five years.