Joseph Fiorenza Obituary

Joseph Fiorenzo was an American prelate of the Catholic church. He was the seventh bishop and the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas, serving from 1985 to 2006.

Fiorenzo was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1954. His first assignment was as an assistant pastor of Queen of Peace Parish in Houston, where he remained for three years. In 1957, he became a professor of medical ethics at Sacred Heart Dominican College and chaplain of St. Joseph Hospital, both in Houston.

Fiorenzo was named bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston by Pope John Paul II. He was installed by Archbishop Patrick Flores apostolic pro-nuncio.

Fiorenzo submitted his letter of retirement as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to Pope Benedict XVI in February 2006 at the mandatory retirement age of 75.

Joseph died on September 19, 2022. The actual cause of his death is unknown.