Joseph Fiorenza facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Joseph Anthony Fiorenza
Archbishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston
Fiorenza addressing Hurricane Katrina evacuees in 2005
Archdiocese	Galveston-Houston
Appointed	December 6, 1984
Enthroned	February 18, 1985
Reign ended	February 26, 2006
Predecessor	John Louis Morkovsky
Successor	Daniel DiNardo
Orders
Ordination	May 29, 1954
Consecration	October 25, 1979 by Patrick Flores, John Louis Morkovsky, and John E. McCarthy
Personal details
Born	(1931-01-25)January 25, 1931 Beaumont, Texas
Died	September 19, 2022(2022-09-19) (aged 91)
Previous post	Bishop of San Angelo (1979–1984)
Motto	Thy kingdom come

Styles of Joseph Anthony Fiorenza
Reference style	His Excellency The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Religious style	Archbishop

Joseph Anthony Fiorenza (born January 25, 1931 – died September 19, 2022) was an important leader in the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as a bishop and later as the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas. He held this position from 1985 to 2006. Before that, he was the bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo in Texas from 1979 to 1984.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Fiorenza was born in Beaumont, Texas, on January 25, 1931. He was one of four sons born to Anthony and Grace Fiorenza. His father came from Sicily, and his mother's parents were also from Sicily.

Joseph went to St. Anthony High School in Beaumont. He was a talented student and even skipped a grade, graduating at age 16 in 1947. While in high school, he was the captain of the football team and the president of his senior class. After high school, he continued his studies at St. Mary's Seminary in La Porte, Texas.

Becoming a Priest

Joseph Fiorenza became a priest on May 29, 1954. His first job was helping out at Queen of Peace Parish in Houston. He worked there for three years.

In 1957, he started teaching medical ethics at Sacred Heart Dominican College. He also became the chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston. From 1959 to 1967, he managed the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Houston.

In 1965, Fiorenza took part in the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama. These marches were a big part of the Civil Rights Movement, which fought for equal rights for all people.

He then served as a pastor at two different parishes in Houston: St. Augustine Parish (1967–1969) and St. Benedict the Abbot Parish (1969–1972). From 1972 to 1973, he was the pastor of Assumption Parish and also a vice-chancellor for the diocese. In 1973, Pope Paul VI gave him the special title of honorary prelate. He then served as the diocesan chancellor from 1973 to 1979.

Leading as a Bishop

Bishop of San Angelo

On September 4, 1979, Pope John Paul II chose Joseph Fiorenza to be the fourth bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo. He officially became a bishop on October 25, 1979. This special ceremony, called an episcopal consecration, took place at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo.

Bishop and Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

On December 18, 1984, Pope John Paul II appointed Fiorenza as the bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. He was officially welcomed into this role on February 18, 1985.

Years later, on December 29, 2004, Pope John Paul II made the Diocese of Galveston-Houston an archdiocese. This meant it became a more important area in the Catholic Church. At this point, Bishop Fiorenza became the first archbishop of Galveston-Houston.

Retirement and Legacy

Archbishop Fiorenza retired from his role in February 2006, when he turned 75. This is the usual retirement age for bishops. Pope Benedict XVI accepted his retirement on February 28, 2006. Daniel DiNardo became the new archbishop.

Archbishop Fiorenza lived in retirement at the Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Priest Retirement Residence in Houston. A park in Harris County, Texas, is also named after him, called Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza Park.

Important Roles and Boards

Archbishop Fiorenza held many important positions during his career:

• He was a member of the administrative board for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which is a group of Catholic leaders in the U.S.
• He was the vice-president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1995 to 1998.
• He later became the president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1998 to 2001.
• He was also a board member of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.
• He served as a trustee for the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
• He was the president of the board of trustees for Catholic Charities, an organization that helps people in need.

See also