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Funeral arrangements announced for late Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza, who died at age 91

Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza (Courtesy - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)

HOUSTON – Funeral arrangements were announced Friday honoring the late Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza, who died Monday at the age of 91.

Fiorenza was a longtime bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston from 1985 to 2006. He was appointed as Archbishop in 2004 when the diocese was elevated to Archdiocese status by Pope St. John II.

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Fiorenza passed away peacefully at a hospital in Beaumont from multiple health complications over the past several months, the diocese announced in a news release,

RELATED: ‘Tireless social justice advocate’: Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza, longtime bishop of Galveston-Houston, dies at 91

“Archbishop Fiorenza was known to be a champion of civil rights and a tireless worker in overcoming the presence of racism in our community,” said Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. “He was also known as a great promoted of genuine renewal in the Church, and in making the teachings of the Second Vatican well-known.”

The funeral services will take place at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Parkway in downtown Houston.

Details of Fiorenza’s funeral service are as follows:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 27: Family members will be present for the Solemn Reception of the Body at 7 p.m. Visitation will also occur at 7:15 p.m. and the Rosary will begin at 8:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 28, Fiorenza will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a Solemn Vigil Liturgy at 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 29: Funeral mass is scheduled for 2 p.m. followed by a private Rite of Committal.

About the Author

A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.

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