Bishop József-Csaba Pál

On May 16, 2018, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, appointed Fr. Pál József-Csaba—a canon, archdeacon, and parish priest—as Bishop of Timișoara. The bishop was born on December 3, 1955, in the village of Şoimeni-Ciuc, Harghita County. After completing his secondary education, he attended the School of Cantors in Alba Iulia. Upon graduation, he continued his studies at the Roman Catholic Theological Institute in Alba Iulia. He was ordained a priest on June 21, 1981, by Bishop Jakab Antal. Following his ordination, he served for four years as a chaplain at the St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Parish in Târgu Mureș, and from 1985 onwards, he continued his ministry in the Diocese of Timișoara. Bishop Sebastian Kräuter appointed him parish priest of Bacova, Buziaș, and Nitzkydorf. In 1987, he arrived at the "Our Lady of the Snows" Parish in Reșița as parish priest, later being appointed dean and subsequently archdeacon of the Mountain Banat Archdeaconry. Within the Cathedral Chapter, he received the title of *Canonicus Carolinus Senior*. Since 1994, he has served as the director in charge of the diocesan magazine *Vita Catholica Banatus*. Throughout his ministry, the new bishop has served with skill and dedication, demonstrating great zeal and faithfulness. His work in the service of the Diocese of Timișoara has been appreciated by both the diocesan clergy and the faithful. In 2010, the County Council awarded him the title of "Honorary Citizen of Caraș-Severin County" for his significant contribution to the spiritual life and ecumenical movement in the municipality of Reșița. His episcopal consecration and installation took place on August 6, on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, at St. George's Cathedral in Timișoara. May the good Lord protect him and grant him great strength, abundant grace, and joy in his ministry as shepherd of the diocese.