In reflection, Archbishop Fiorenza called Archbishop Vásquez ‘the real thing’

When the Diocese of Austin received news they’d gain a new bishop in 2010, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston wrote a reflection and message to congratulate then-Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of his appointment.

“What can the people ... expect in their new bishop, Joe S. Vásquez?” he wrote. “They will soon realize that he is, as the saying goes, ‘the real thing.’ He is a bishop who will love the priests and people of the diocese with a true shepherd’s heart. He will minister to all with joy and with a beautiful capacity to listen with sensitivity and understanding. He has great compassion for the poor, the immigrants, the sick and the elderly.”
Archbishop Fiorenza, who ordained now-Archbishop Vásquez both as a priest and as an auxiliary bishop, died on Sept. 19, 2022. He said Archbishop Vásquez “is blessed with a positive outlook on life and a very pleasant personality. He smiles easily and laughs often with co-workers and friends.”

He continued: “I have had the opportunity to observe him as he grew in episcopal responsibilities and as a competent administrator. He has a calm and effective ability to relate with priests and people of all backgrounds and every ethnicity, race and language. He speaks Spanish and Italian as easily as English. He is proficient in speaking the language of Gospel love. He was reared on tacos and enchiladas but also loves Italian food. I hope there are good Italian restaurants in Austin. His easy-going manner and friendly style should not lead one to think he could be a pushover. That would be a serious mistake. In an appropriate situation, he will be kind, but firm, and when necessary, he can make difficult decisions without notable anxiety. As an administrator, he will not make rash decisions, but neither will he delay in making needed decisions.”

Archbishop Fiorenza lauded Archbishop Vásquez’s love for the Church: “Above all, Bishop Vásquez loves the Catholic Church and will govern with decisiveness and compassion; he will teach clearly and with fidelity to the Magisterium, and he will celebrate the Sacraments with joy, leading all to growth in the holiness of Jesus Christ. He is ‘the real thing,’ which the Church desires in a bishop.”

Reflecting on his long-held and beloved relationship with Archbishop Fiorenza, Archbishop Vásquez said it was “a great blessing to have known and worked with Archbishop Fiorenza.”

“He was a mentor and cherished friend. I was privileged to have been ordained to the priesthood and the episcopacy by Archbishop Fiorenza,” he said. “He was a humble man and a true shepherd who loved to serve people; he particularly had a closeness to the poor, the immigrants and the suffering. He also cared deeply for his priests, always having their well-being in mind, but at the same time expecting them to be men of service and faithful to the Church. He loved his priesthood, and because of him, I try to live the same life of service and concern for those in need just as he did.”

Archbishop Fiorenza first served as the Bishop of San Angelo from 1979 to 1985 and as the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston from 1985 to 2006.