From Santa Rosa to Brownsville, 12 University of Dallas alumni are serving as bishops among the 273 active prelates of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Their graduation years ranged from the 1970s through 1990s, and a few of them were even classmates.
Many bishops were ordained in Dallas, while others became priests in their home dioceses. These alumni priests went on to serve in a number of parishes and diocesan assignments before being ordained as bishops. Some continued to serve in connection with UDallas, including as trustees, in leadership at Holy Trinity Seminary and even as UDallas chaplain.
The 12 men highlighted in the following pages, along with countless other alumni who devote their lives to faith and service, are evidence of the university’s commitment to forming graduates who serve Church and country.
Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel, BA ’74 MDiv ’78
Currently: Bishop of Lafayette, LA
Ordained: 1978, Diocese of Dallas
Diocesan positions included: Presbyteral Council and Priests’ Personnel Board
Other UDallas connections: Former Vice Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary
Also served as: Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas
Episcopal motto: “Christ’s love that urges me on.”
Bishop Gregory Kelly, BA ’78 MDiv ’82
Coming to the University of Dallas my junior year when I entered Holy Trinity Seminary was like arriving late at a banquet after filling up on junk food. It created a hunger to know and understand a truth grand and endlessly attractive and challenging, opening onto the mystery of God, Truth itself. It has also provided a foundation and a horizon for my life as a priest and now as a bishop, a window into the depths of the mystery of Christ, ‘in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (Colossians 2:3).”
Currently: Bishop of Tyler, TX
Ordained: 1982, Diocese of Dallas
Parish assignments: All Saints (Dallas) and St. Gabriel the Archangel (McKinney)
Diocesan positions included: Vocations Director, Vicar for Clergy, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop
Other UDallas connections: University of Dallas Chaplain & Board of Trustees, Interim Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary (2014)
Episcopal motto: “Take courage.”
Archbishop Shawn McKnight, BS ’90
Currently: Archbishop of Kansas City, KS
Ordained: 1994, Diocese of Wichita
Parish assignments: parishes in Wichita
Other assignments: Executive Director of the Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations for the USCCB; Bishop of Jefferson City, MO
Episcopal motto: “Let us give thanks to the Lord.”
Bishop Oscar Cantú, BA ’89
The classical education at the University of Dallas had a profound impact on my world view. The foundation in the Greco-Roman history and philosophy of the West molded my interest in theology, art and architecture, literature, and philosophy.
These interests and educational foundations have served me well in my 31 years as a priest and 17 years as a bishop. I have used this world view and liberal arts background in my teaching and pastoral leadership over the years.
I continue to deepen and expand this world view through my continued reading, studying, and learning. I challenge myself to expand my understanding of the world, its history, and the beauty and truth of the Creator evident in its multiple cultures throughout history.”
Currently: Bishop of San Jose, CA
Ordained: 1994, Diocese of Houston
Parish assignments: St. Christopher and other parishes in the Houston area
Ministry interests: Christian Family Movement and Engaged Encounter
Also served as: Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio, Bishop of Las Cruces, NM
Episcopal motto: “The zeal for your house consumes me.”
Bishop Mark Seitz, BA ’76 MDiv ’82
Currently: Bishop of El Paso, TX
Ordained: 1980, Diocese of Dallas
Parish assignments: Parishes in Garland, Waxahachie and Dallas
Other UDallas connections: Former Liturgy
and Sacramental Theology Professor at University of Dallas and Vice-Rector and Director of Liturgy at Holy Trinity Seminary.
Also served as: Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas
Episcopal motto: “My heart is ready.”
Bishop David Konderla, BA ’89
The University of Dallas opened up a whole world of beauty and wisdom for this small town boy.”
Currently: Bishop of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Ordained: 1995, Diocese of Austin
Parish assignments: St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station and other parishes in Austin
Diocesan positions included: Vocations director for the Diocese of Austin
Episcopal motto: “Unless the Lord builds”
Bishop Michael Duca, BA ’74 MDiv ’78
I didn’t fully understand the value of my eight years of education at the University of Dallas until I began my active ministry as a priest and certainly now as a bishop. In all aspects of my life from social conversations, theological reflections, writing a weekly column, sermons, and even in spiritual counseling, I find I have a deep academic foundation to move in all these circles of encounter and ministry with confidence. The liberal arts education I received at UD was a profound part of my seminary formation that prepared me for my life as a priest and now bishop.”
Currently: Bishop of Baton Rouge, LA
Ordained: 1978, Diocese of Dallas
Parish assignments: All Saints (Dallas), St. Patrick (Dallas) and St. Luke (Irving)
Diocesan positions included: Diocese of Dallas Vocations Director
Other UDallas connections: Rector at Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas, 1996-2008; Former University of Dallas Board of Trustees member
Episcopal motto: “Hope in the Lord.”
Bishop Daniel E. Flores
Currently: Bishop of Brownsville, TX
Ordained: 1988, Diocese of Corpus Christi
Parish assignments: Corpus Christi Cathedral
Diocesan positions included: Secretary to the Bishop, Rector of the Saint John Vianney House of Study, Episcopal Vicar for Vocations and Chancellor
Also served as: Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit
Episcopal motto: “The WORD is sent breathing forth love.”
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, BA ’81 MDiv ’85
Ordained: 1985, Diocese of Dallas
Parish assignments: Immaculate Conception Church and other parishes in the Diocese of Tyler, TX
Diocesan positions included: Vocations Director for the Diocese of Tyler
Episcopal motto: “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord.”
Bishop Robert Coerver, BA ’76
My education at the University of Dallas deepened my appreciation of the Western Tradition, especially its philosophical, literary, and theological aspects, which served, I believe, to deepen my own personal integration.”
Currently: Bishop of Lubbock, TX
Ordained: 1980, Diocese of Dallas
Parish assignments: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (Dallas), Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (Plano), Our Lady of the Lake (Rockwall) and St. Rita (Dallas)
Diocesan positions included: Director of the Office of Sacramental Life, Director of Priestly Life and Ministry
Other UDallas connections: Director of Spiritual Formation at Holy Trinity Seminary for 11 years
Episcopal Motto: “Take Lord, receive.”
Bishop Robert Francis Vasa, BA ’76
I was edified by the witness and example of the Hungarian Cistercians who comprised a majority of the theological faculty at the university. From them, I received solid theological formation for which I am extremely grateful. I am proud to have been a graduate of the university especially as its orthodox reputation has expanded and spread over the past several decades.”
Currently: Bishop of Santa Rosa, CA
Ordained: 1976, Diocese of Lincoln
Diocesan positions included: Assistant Chancellor and Judicial Vicar
Also served as: Bishop of Baker, OR
Episcopal motto: “Unless a grain of wheat”
Bishop Francis Malone, BA ’74 MDiv ’77
Currently: Bishop of Shreveport, LA
Ordained: 1977, Diocese of Little Rock
Parish assignments: Christ the King and other parishes in the Diocese of Little Rock
Diocesan positions included: Chancellor, Vicar General and more
Other UDallas connections: Vice-Rector at Holy Trinity Seminary (1986-1987)
Episcopal motto: “The cup of salvation I will take up.”
