Awaiting a New Bishop
-
-
English | Espanol
On March 25, Archbishop Vásquez was installed as Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Our hearts are filled with deep gratitude for his 15 years of servant leadership in the Diocese of Austin. We now turn to God asking that he choose a shepherd after the heart of the Good Shepherd for this Local Church: Prayer for a New Bishop.
The process of selecting candidates and naming a new bishop can take several months and involves consultation, discussion, and prayer. It is governed by strict confidentiality and involves several key individuals, including the apostolic nuncio and the Congregation for Bishops. The final decision rests with our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
-
News
-
March 27
Very Rev. James Misko appointed Diocesan Administrator during this time of "Sede Vacante"Read More
-
-
-
-
-
Pope Francis will select our new bishop, with the consultation process usually taking several months.
Recalling when Bishop Aymond was named Archbishop of New Orleans in August 2009, the Diocese of Austin was without a bishop for the first time in its history. Msgr. W. Michael Mulvey served as diocesan administrator for several months before he was appointed Bishop of Corpus Christi in January 2010. Finally, on March 8, 2010, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez was installed as the fifth bishop of Austin.
-
-
-
As required by Canon Law, the College of Consultors—a group of appointed Diocese of Austin priests—appointed a Diocesan Administrator within eight days of Archbishop Vasquez's installation in Houston. Father James Misko has been appointed to this role: Office of the Diocesan Administrator.
-
-
-
The Diocesan Administrator, Father James Misko, possesses many of the same responsibilities as a diocesan bishop, but with certain limitations, particularly regarding decisions with long-term financial implications, the ordination of priests and deacons, and the appointment of pastors. A key aspect of this period of Sede Vacante is that the diocesan administrator governs with the mind of the previous bishop and, during this time, makes as few innovations to the overall mission of the diocese as possible.
-
-
-
The Office of the Diocesan Administrator will end when the new bishop takes canonical possession of the diocese during the Mass of Installation or Ordination, typically occurring within two months of the Holy Father's appointment of the new bishop.
-
-
-
-
Prayer for a New Bishop
Almighty and ever living God, grant our Holy Father, Pope Francis, wisdom in discernment as he chooses a new bishop for this local Church.
By your divine providence, grant us a shepherd, after the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, whose benevolent care and kindly zeal will strengthen the people of God by the light of the Gospel and the power of the sacraments.
Lord, as you now prepare to call our new bishop to the Diocese of Austin, give him courage and generosity to respond with a spirit of joyful hope.
Invoking the intercession of our patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
-
-
-
Further Resources
-