Pope Appoints Dallas Aux. Bishop Mark Seitz To El Paso Diocese
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Pope Francis has appointed the auxiliary bishop of Dallas, Mark J. Seitz, the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso.
The 59-year-old Seitz served in Dallas from 2010 until his transfer to this West Texas city. During his time in Dallas, Seitz donated one kidney to a parishioner.
At a news conference Monday, he spoke in both Spanish and English. He said he had a desire "to serve the entire community here without distinction of race or culture."
"Since I entered the seminary here in Dallas as a young 18-year old boy, I have loved Dallas and the Church of Dallas. You have become my family. Dallas has become my home. But when I presented myself for ordination as a deacon, I gave my life to God's service and I promised to be at the disposal of the Church. I accept this call as a new opportunity to follow the Good Shepherd and, with His help, to be one." said Seitz.
With the appointment, Most Reverend Seitz will become the seventh bishop of the Diocese of El Paso. Seitz replaces bishop Armando Ochoa, who was appointed to lead the diocese in Fresno, Calif., in December 2011.
Seitz is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The United States Conference of Bishops says the Diocese of El Paso serves 858,546 people. About 80% of those people are Catholic.
(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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