Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
The Reverend José Steven Vasquez was born on July 9, 1957, in Stamford, Texas, in the Diocese of San Angelo. After attending parochial elementary school, he pursued priestly formation at Saint Mary Seminary in Houston and undertook philosophical studies at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, where he earned a baccalaureate degree. Sent to Rome in 1980 to the Pontifical North American College, he pursued theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, obtaining a Licentiate in Theology. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo on June 30, 1984. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: parochial vicar (1985–1987), pastor of Saint Vincent Parish in Fort Stockton (1987–1997), and—from 1997 to the present—pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in San Angelo. He is a member of the Personnel Board and the Presbyteral Council.