Bishop DiNardo named coadjutor bishop for Diocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas

Appointment by the Holy See becomes effective this March

January 22, 2004

Calling it both surprising and humbling, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo of the Diocese of Sioux City, announced Jan. 16 that he was named the Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas.

As coadjutor, Bishop DiNardo would automatically become bishop of Galveston-Houston if Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, the current head of the diocese, were to retire or die. Bishop Fiorenza, who turns 73 on Jan. 25, has been bishop of Galveston-Houston since 1985.

The appointment was announced Jan. 16 in Washington by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States. News of the appointment by the Holy See was made public simultaneously in Sioux City and Houston, where Bishop DiNardo was introduced to his new diocese.

"I want to express my gratitude to our Holy Father for appointing me as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. I am grateful for the trust he has placed in me in appointing me to this office," said Bishop DiNardo, during the Houston press conference. "I promise him my loyalty, obedience and affection. I pledge my full cooperation in working with Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, the diocesan bishop, whom I have known and respected as a shepherd and leader in the episcopal conference."

Bishop DiNardo indicated that he leaves the Diocese of Sioux City with a degree of sadness. "It has been a privilege for me to be the shepherd of the local church for these past six years. This diocese is small in numbers but mighty in faith. I will truly miss the great priests, deacons, religious and faithful of Northwest Iowa who have made me feel at home. I will always keep the wonderful people of the Diocese of Sioux City in my prayers."

He will be officially welcomed to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston on March 26, 2004. He will remain in Sioux City until that time and serve as the administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City. Upon his departure, a panel of diocesan priests who comprise the Board of Consultors will select a priest to serve as the administrator of the diocese until a new bishop is appointed by the Holy See. There is no definitive timetable as to when that appointment will be made.

The Diocese of Galveston-Houston is much larger than the Diocese of Sioux City in terms of numbers. Bishop DiNardo's new home diocese has over 1.1 million Catholics, ten times the number of Catholics in the Diocese of Sioux City. The Texas diocese also has more than 450 priests and 300 deacons that serve the needs of the 150 parishes, six Catholic high schools, two Catholic junior high schools and 43 Catholic elementary schools.

The Texas diocese is the country's ninth largest diocese.

In Texas, Bishop DiNardo joins Bishop Fiorenza as well as Auxiliary Bishops Vincent M. Rizzotto and Joe S. Vasquez.

"My knowledge of Texas and of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston is not great, but I am eager to learn and eager as well to share my love for Christ and his church," said Bishop DiNardo at the press conference in Texas. "May the Lord Jesus bless us all in his loving mercy and may the prayers of his mother protect us."

Because it will be a new experience for him, the bishop asked for all of their help and patience.

"I hope to learn much from you about your Catholic faith and about your lives and cultures," he said.

Mass is celebrated there regularly in seven different languages.

Bishop DiNardo was named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City on Aug. 19, 1997. His episcopal ordination as Bishop of Sioux City was held on Oct. 7 of that same year. The native of Steubenville, Ohio, came to Sioux City from the Diocese of Pittsburgh where he served for a number of years in various leadership capacities. The 54-year old Bishop DiNardo has been a priest for 26 years.

When he leaves at the end of March, the diocese will be considered a vacant see. This is the first time in the Diocese of Sioux City's 101-year history that it is without a bishop.

Special events to recognize the contributions of Bishop DiNardo to the Diocese of Sioux City will be announced later this month.