Joseph Fiorenza

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Joseph Anthony Fiorenza is Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic 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 elevated to an Archdiocese by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 2004. Upon his retirement (accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2006), Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza was succeeded by then-Coadjutor Archbishop Cardinal-designate Daniel N. DiNardo. Archbishop Fiorenza presided over the dedication mass of Pope John XXIII High School.

[edit] Early life and education

Joseph Anthony Fiorenza was born to Anthony Fiorenza and Grace Galiano on January 25, 1931 in Beaumont, Texas. He graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School in Beaumont in 1947, after which he studied Theology at St. Mary's Seminary in La Porte, Texas. He was ordained there on May 29, 1954, as a member of the last class to be ordained in La Porte: the seminary moved to a new campus in Houston that fall.

From 1954 to 1979 he served various positions in Catholic churches and schools. He began his ministry as assistant pastor at Queen of Peace Church. He served as pastor of St. Augustine, St. Benedict, and Assumption Parishes in the Diocese of Galveston. He also served as Professor of Medical Ethics at Dominican College, Houston and as Administrator of Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral. Fiorenza continues such work today, most notably by serving on the board of directors at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Fiorenza served as Vice Chancellor and then as Chancellor of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. On December 5, 1973 he was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness Pope Paul VI.

[edit] Episcopacy

On September 4, 1979, 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, Fiorenza was named Bishop of the 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 and later Pio Cardinal Laghi, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio at the time. The Diocese of Galveston-Houston was elevated to the status of Archdiocese by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on Dec. 29, 2004, at which point Fiorenza became an Archbishop.

Archbishop Fiorenza submitted his letter of retirement to the Vatican in February of 2006 at the customary age of 75 years. The response was received on February 28, 2006, officially granting Fiorenza his retirement and declaring former co-adjutor Archbishop Daniel DiNardo the presiding Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.

[edit] Appointments and board memberships

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