Archdiocese unveils funeral plans for late prelate: 'Pray for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Fiorenza'

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston announced funeral plans on Thursday for the late Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza.

Fiorenza, who served as bishop of the then-Diocese of Galveston-Houston from 1985 to 2004 and archbishop from 2004 to 2006 after its elevation to archdiocese status by the Vatican, died on Monday at the age of 91.

According to the archdiocese, the longtime prelate’s life will be celebrated at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in Downtown Houston.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 7:15 to 9 p.m., with the recitation of the rosary at 8:30 p.m. Fiorenza’s body will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

A funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. followed by a private committal service on Thursday, Sept. 29.

The archdiocese encourages the public to attend the lying in state or the subsequent vigil liturgy as there will be space limitations for the funeral mass.

The vigil service and the funeral mass will be livestreamed on the archdiocese’s website, and the public can read online tributes to Fiorenza at a special page created by the archdiocese.

“Above all else, the Faithful of the Archdiocese and of the whole Church are invited to pray for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Fiorenza, and for the consolation of his family and many friends in this time of grief,” the archdiocese said on Facebook.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) mourned his predecessor – Fiorenza led the body from 1998 to 2001 – in a statement.

“Those who worked with him have expressed that his leadership embodied his love, dedication and tireless service to the Church,” Gomez said. “I offer my prayers and sympathy to Archbishop Fiorenza’s family, friends and the many people whose lives he touched through his ministry over the years as a priest, and then as bishop.”

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner shared Gomez’s sentiments.

“He touched countless lives through his work,” Turner said in a tweet. “He kept the faith, finished the course and his work is done.”