Bishop of Beaumont
David Leon Toups was born on March 26, 1971, in Seattle, Washington (within the Archdiocese of the same name), and grew up in southern Louisiana before moving to Florida. He attended Clearwater Central Catholic High School in Clearwater. After two years at Florida Southern College in Lakeland (1988–1990), he entered the seminary. He earned a Baccalaureate in Philosophy and Theology from Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Miami (1990–1993). He then attended the Pontifical North American College in Rome (1993–1997), obtaining a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Subsequently, he earned a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) (2002–2004), publishing the thesis: *The Sacerdotal Character as the Foundation of the Priestly Life Including the Contribution of Blessed Columba Marmion*. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida, on June 14, 1997. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: Parochial Vicar at Saint Frances Cabrini Parish in Spring Hill (1997–2001); Professor of Sacramental and Liturgical Theology, Assistant Dean and later Dean of Students (2004–2006), and President/Rector (since 2012) at Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida; Associate Director of the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2007–2010); and Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Tampa (2010–2012). He served as a member of the Presbyteral Council (1997–2001) and the National Federation of Priests’ Councils (1997–2001), and as an observer for the region at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2000–2002).