News Summary
Bishop Daniel Garcia has been appointed the new Bishop of Austin, Texas, marking his return after leading the Diocese of Monterey for six years. He expresses gratitude for the community’s diversity and emphasizes a commitment to serving the poor and marginalized. Garcia has extensive pastoral experience and is bilingual, which positions him well to lead the Diocese. His installation will take place during a Mass in September.
Austin, Texas – Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Daniel Garcia as the new Bishop of Austin, Texas, according to an announcement made on July 2, 2025, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Garcia, who is returning to Texas after more than six years of leading the Diocese of Monterey in California, expressed his gratitude for the diverse local Church in Austin, which serves a significantly large community of Catholics.
Bishop Garcia, aged 64, previously served as an auxiliary bishop of Austin and officially held the title of titular bishop of Capso after his appointment by Pope Francis in 2015. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Austin on May 28, 1988, and his pastoral experience includes key roles at several parishes, such as St. Catherine of Siena, Cristo Rey, St. Louis, and St. Mary Magdalene. From 1995 to 2014, he served as a parish priest at St. Vincent de Paul.
Community Focus and Responsibilities
Bishop Garcia emphasized his commitment to the Church’s mission to remember the poor, the weak, and the marginalized in church policies and practices. He referenced St. Vincent de Paul, highlighting the belief that caring for the poor is pivotal to spiritual life and engagement with the community. Bishop Garcia’s installation is set to take place during a Mass in September 2025.
Educational Background
Bishop Garcia is well-educated, holding a liberal arts degree and a master’s degree in divinity from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Additionally, he earned a master’s degree in liturgy from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, in 2007. His academic achievements complement his extensive pastoral experience and leadership within the Catholic Church.
Diverse Demographics of the Diocese
The Diocese of Austin encompasses 21,066 square miles and serves a population of nearly 3.8 million people, with approximately 678,545 of them being Catholics. This diverse population presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for Bishop Garcia as he works to address the spiritual and social needs of his constituents.
Personal Background
Bishop Garcia was born on August 30, 1960, in Waco, Texas, and was raised in Cameron, Texas. He is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, which positions him effectively to connect with the diverse community he will serve. He has three younger sisters and has expressed personal excitement about returning to Texas to reconnect with the local community and enjoy the regional cuisine.
Bishop Garcia’s return to Austin marks a significant transition not only for him but also for the Diocese, which is poised for continued growth and engagement in its local and broader community. His leadership will play a vital role in shaping the future direction and mission of the Diocese of Austin in the years to come.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Pope Leo XIV
- KXAN
- Google Search: Daniel Garcia Austin Bishop
- Austin American-Statesman
- Google Scholar: Catholic Diocese of Austin
- Catholic News Agency
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Catholicism
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google News: Diocese of Austin
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