A precious Houston figure of faith has actually died. Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza passed away Monday, September 19, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston revealed. He was 91.
Fiorenza acted as bishop of the diocese of Galveston-Houston from 1985 to 2006. He was made an archbishop in 2004 when Pope John Paul II raised the status of the diocese to an archdiocese. Throughout his priesthood, his management of the archdiocese and well into his retirement, Fiorenza was referred to as an enthusiastic supporter for social justice.
“Archbishop Fiorenza was understood to be a champ of civil liberties and a vigorous employee in conquering the existence of bigotry in our community.,” stated Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston in a declaration. “He was likewise referred to as a terrific promoter of authentic renewal in the church, and in making the mentors of the Second Vatican Council understood.”
Joseph Anthony Fiorenza was born January 25, 1931 in Beaumont, Texas, to Anthony andGrace Fiorenza His daddy was a Sicilian immigrant and his mom the child of Sicilian immigrants. The second of 4 boys, he went toBeaumont’s St Anthony High School. He finished at 16, having actually avoided a grade and registered inSt Mary’s Seminary in La Porte.
Fiorenza was ordained in May, 1954 and his very first post was to Houston’s Queen of Peace, where he acted as assistant pastor. Three years later on, he acted as a teacher of medical principles at Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston, in addition to working as the pastor atSt Joseph Hospital in downtownHouston
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he served in parishes around the Houston location, in addition to taking positions with the diocese itself. In 1965, he participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, joining other prominent Catholics from around the nation to raise their voices for flexibility.
Pope John Paul II selected Fiorenza bishop of San Angelo in 1979. His consecration was hung on October 25 inSan Angelo’s Sacred Heart Cathedral Five years later on, he would go back to Houston, to lead the diocese and bishop and later on, archbishop. He retired in February 2006 and was been successful by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo.
A rich Harris County park in west Houston bears his name.
In Houston, Fiorenza will be as much remembered for his devotion to his faith as his significant accomplishments and period.
“It’s been an honor and an opportunity to work for such a godly guy who constantly defended the rights of the bad, marginalized, immigrants and those otherwise prejudiced versus,” Rebecca Torrellas, handling editor of the Texas Catholic Herald informs CultureMap. “He focused on social justice beyond his retirement with enthusiasm and decision. What a definitely fantastic tradition, and such a huge loss to the city ofHouston I will miss him awfully.”
As of press time, funeral plans were still pending. The archdiocese stated it would launch information once they are completed.
