Bishop DiNardo named coadjutor bishop of Galveston-Houston

Published: 2004-01-16

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has named Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo of Sioux City, Iowa, coadjutor bishop of Galveston-Houston. 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. Bishop DiNardo is to be welcomed into the Galveston-Houston Diocese at a March 26 Mass at St. Michael's Church in Houston. At a Houston press conference Jan. 16, Bishop Fiorenza said Bishop DiNardo "comes to us with a wealth of experience both as a priest and a bishop. I know that the Catholic faithful throughout the area will warmly welcome him and with our legendary hospitality will make him feel at home because today he becomes a Texan," he added. Bishop DiNardo, 54, said he looked forward to working with Bishop Fiorenza, Auxiliary Bishops Vincent M. Rizzotto and Joe S. Vasquez "and with all the priests, deacons, religious and faithful of such a large and complex local church."

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