Austin Celebrates New Catholic Bishop

AUSTIN, TX - (AUSTIN)-- The Catholic Diocese of Austin installs a new bishop, and he's the first Hispanic Bishop in Central Texas. 

People from the Catholic community braved the wet weather to witness a true honor.

"It's a real honor, we're real excited, it's a hispanic bishop, which is a first in Austin," Barbara Kennedy, of St. Austin Catholic School, said.

"It's not very often that you see a Bishop installed," Congressman John Carter and his wife Erika said. "It's a privilege."

Catholic or not, the people inside St. William Parish in Round Rock, and all around the Austin area, feel blessed with a new leader.

Fellow bishops from around the country traveled to Central Texas to offer their prayer and support Joe Vasquez, the fifth bishop of Austin.

"I resolve to serve faithfully the spiritual needs of this local church. Thanks be to god," Vasquez prays to the congregation.

"I am humbled and honored by his Holiness, Pope Benedict the 16th, appointing me to be your new Bishop," he goes on.

The newly-named leader broke bread with the members of the Catholic community. After the service, Bishop Vasquez shares he's eager to get to know the entire Austin community.

"What are their needs, what are their concerns? What are the issues they're dealing with? The church has to be attentive, can't be always closed in, it has to be looking onwards, bringing Christ to others," Vasquez said.

Raised in West Texas, Bishop Vasquez recently was auxilliary bishop in the Galveston-Houston area. Here in Austin, he says the biggest challenge is a growing diocese.

"Pray for me, that's the most important thing, I can't do this alone."