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From the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and MinneapolisĀ
Pope Francis this morning named Father Joseph Williams, a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, as Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Bishop-elect Williams is currently the pastor of the Church of Saint Stephen and the Church of the Holy Rosary, both in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Father Williams also serves as Vicar for Latino Ministry for the Archdiocese.
A native of Stillwater, Minnesota, Bishop-elect Williams, 47,Ā earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris.Ā He then enrolled at Franciscan University of SteubenvilleĀ in Steubenville, Ohio,Ā where, in an environment of prayer and fraternal support, he heard Godās call to the priesthood. He was accepted intoĀ The Saint Paul Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota,Ā in 1998.Ā Bishop-elect Williams wasĀ ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 2002.
After ordination, Bishop-elect WilliamsĀ ministeredĀ at theĀ CathedralĀ of Saint Paul, Divine Mercy in Faribault, Saint Mathias inĀ HamptonĀ andĀ Saint Mary in New Trier.Ā In 2008, he was appointed to serveĀ Saint StephenĀ parishĀ in Minneapolis.Ā Holy RosaryĀ parishĀ was added to his pastorship inĀ 2020.
Bishop-elect Williams currently serves on The Saint Paul Seminary and Saint John Vianney College Seminary Board of Trustees. He has served as chaplain of the Minnesota House of Representatives and as the Coordinator of Archdiocesan Outreach to Persons with Disabilities.
As an auxiliary bishop, Bishop-elect Williams will work alongside Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to lead theĀ ChurchĀ in the Archdiocese, whichĀ encompassesĀ the 12-county metro area.
āI am humbled and honored by Pope Francisā appointment,āĀ Bishop-elect Williams said. āI love Jesus and His Church,Ā andĀ I look forward to joiningĀ the faithful of Saint Paul and Minneapolis inĀ sharing that love withĀ our neighbors, especiallyĀ the poor and the immigrant.Ā I have had the privilege of servingĀ our Spanish-speaking sisters and brothersĀ for over 15 years.Ā TheirĀ tenderĀ love of GodĀ andĀ devotion to the priesthoodĀ have inspired meĀ toĀ live outĀ my vowsĀ daily. IĀ am confidentĀ the Holy Spirit will showĀ Archbishop HebdaĀ howĀ I mayĀ best support him in caringĀ for all theĀ wonderfulĀ people of thisĀ Archdiocese.Ā Please pray forĀ us.ā
ArchbishopĀ Hebda said:Ā āIt was with great joy that I learned of Pope Francisā appointment of Fr. Joseph Williams as Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The priests and faithful of the Archdiocese should be honored that the Holy Father has chosen a native son, nurtured, nourished and formed in this local Church, to serve as a Successor of the Apostles. His deep faith, pastoral heart, love for Christ and his flock, and impressive natural gifts all suggest that the Lord has long been preparing him to serve as a bishop. Having been inspired by his leadership at Saint Stephen and Holy Rosary, his heart for the poor and those on the periphery, his evangelical zeal, and his leadership as Vicar for Latino Ministry, I am particularly delighted by the appointment and am confident that the Archdiocese will benefit greatly from his example, discernment and leadership. Please join me in praying for Bishop-elect Williams as he prepares for his ordination on January 25, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, and as he begins his episcopal service. May Our Lady of Loreto, on whose feast he was named, guide him always to the compassionate heart of her Son.ā
Bishop-elect Williams was born onĀ May 2,Ā 1974,Ā to Dr.Ā Gary and Mary Williams. He is theĀ thirdĀ of nine children, grew up in Stillwater, attendedĀ Saint Croix CatholicĀ SchoolĀ and graduated from Stillwater High School inĀ 1992.Ā His brotherĀ Father Peter WilliamsĀ is also a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and serves as pastor of Saint AmbroseĀ parish in Woodbury.Ā Bishop-elect Williams graduatedĀ summa cumĀ laudeĀ from the University of Minnesota, Morris,Ā in 1996 andĀ earned aĀ philosophy/pre-theologyĀ degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1998. He earned a Masters of Divinity fromĀ TheĀ Saint Paul SeminaryĀ and was ordainedĀ May 25, 2002,Ā by Archbishop Harry J.Ā Flynn.
His episcopal ordination is scheduled forĀ JanuaryĀ 25, 2022,Ā at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. The ordination will be livestreamed on the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolisā Facebook page.
Archbishop Hebda will introduceĀ Bishop-elect WilliamsĀ todayĀ at a 9Ā a.m. news conference at the CathedralĀ of Saint Paul.Ā The news conference will be livestreamed on the Archdioceseās Facebook page.
Please seeĀ The Catholic SpiritĀ for more information on Bishop-elect Williamsā appointment and see the ArchdioceseāsĀ events pageĀ for additional information on his episcopal ordination.
Download Photo of Bishop-elect Williams
Social Media Graphics
- English social media graphics
- Hashtag: #bishopelectwilliams
- Spanish social media graphic
- Hashtag: #obispoelectowilliams
- Spanish Facebook cover
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