News Summary
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Daniel E. Garcia as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Austin, following the tenure of Bishop Joe S. Vásquez. Garcia, fluent in English and Spanish, has extensive experience in ministry and leadership roles within the Diocese. His installation is set for September, where he aims to support marginalized communities and reconnect with the local population.
AUSTIN, Texas – On July 2, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Daniel E. Garcia as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Austin. This announcement was made by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. Garcia’s installation is scheduled for September 2025, marking a significant transition in leadership for the diocese.
Bishop Garcia takes over from Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, who served as the fifth bishop of Austin since March 8, 2010, before being appointed as archbishop of Galveston-Houston earlier in 2025. García’s return to Texas is particularly notable as he was previously the bishop of Monterey, California, where he led the diocese for over six years.
Background and Early Life
Bishop Daniel Garcia was born on August 30, 1960, in Waco and Cameron, Texas. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and comes from a family of four, with three younger sisters. His educational background includes an arts degree from Tyler Junior College (1982), and a degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston (1984). During his studies, he also attended St. Mary Seminary.
Ordination and Early Ministry
Garcia was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Austin on May 28, 1988. He earned a master of divinity degree in the same year and added a master of arts in liturgical studies from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. His early ministry included roles as associate pastor at several parishes in Austin, including St. Catherine of Siena, Cristo Rey, and St. Louis King of France. He is also recognized as the founding pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
Leadership Roles
Throughout his career, Garcia has held various leadership positions within the Diocese of Austin, including work in the vocation office and the priests’ personnel board. He served on the presbyteral council before being appointed as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the diocese in 2014. His episcopal journey advanced when he was appointed as auxiliary bishop of Austin in 2015 by Pope Francis, before later becoming the bishop of Monterey in 2018.
National Contributions
In addition to his local leadership roles, Bishop Garcia has contributed at the national level, serving on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Communications and the Committee on Divine Worship. He is also a board member of Catholic Relief Services, reflecting his commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
Community Impact and Vision
The Diocese of Austin covers approximately 21,066 square miles and serves a growing population of nearly 3.8 million residents, including 678,545 Catholics. At a press conference following his appointment, Bishop Garcia articulated his gratitude for the diversity within the diocese and emphasized the importance of supporting marginalized communities. He underscored a mission focused on assistance to the “poor, the weak, and those living on the margins.”
Looking Ahead
As Bishop Garcia prepares for his new role, he expresses eagerness to reconnect with the community and those he has known throughout his ministry. He humorously mentioned his anticipation of enjoying Texas brisket and Tex-Mex food as part of his return to his home state.
Bishop Garcia celebrated the 10th anniversary of his episcopal consecration in January 2025, marking another significant milestone in a dedicated clerical career that continues to inspire hope and commitment within the Catholic community in Austin.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KXAN Austin
- Wikipedia: Pope Leo XIV
- CBS Austin
- Google Search: Diocese of Austin
- OSV News
- Google Scholar: Bishop Daniel E. Garcia
- KSBW News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Galveston-Houston Archdiocese
- KVUE News
- Google News: Bishop Joe S. Vásquez
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
