George Sheltz


George Arthur Sheltz
Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston–Houston
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseGalveston-Houston
AppointedFebruary 21, 2012
InstalledMay 2, 2012
Term endedJune 22, 2021
PredecessorJoe S. Vásquez
SuccessorItalo Dell’Oro
Other post(s)Titular Bishop of Hirina
(2012-2021)
Orders
OrdinationMay 15, 1971
ConsecrationMay 2, 2012
by Daniel Nicholas Cardinal DiNardo, Joseph Fiorenza, and Vincent M. Rizzotto
Personal details
Born(1946-04-20)April 20, 1946
DiedDecember 21, 2021(2021-12-21) (aged 75)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
MottoTHROUGH HIM * WITH HIM * IN HIM
Styles of
George Arthur Sheltz
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop
Ordination history of
George Sheltz
History
Episcopal consecration
Consecrated byDaniel Nicholas Cardinal DiNardo
DateMay 2, 2012

George Arthur Sheltz (April 20, 1946 – December 21, 2021) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.

Sheltz served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas from 2012 to 2021.

Biography

Early life

Sheltz was born April 20, 1946, in Houston, Texas to George and Margaret Sheltz. He attended Annunciation Catholic School and St. Thomas High School, both in Houston. [1]

While in high school, Sheltz decided to enter the priesthood. After graduation, he entered St. Mary's Seminary and the University of St. Thomas, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Master's in Theology.[1]

Priesthood

On May 15, 1971, Sheltz was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston by Bishop John Louis Morkovsky.[2]

After his ordination, Sheltz performed pastoral duties in five Houston parishes: Assumption, Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral; St. Vincent de Paul, Christ the Redeemer, and Prince of Peace. He also served at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Woodlands, Texas. [1]

While working in the parish, Sheltz also served as Dean of the San Jacinto Deanery and Episcopal Vicar of the Northern Vicariate. [1]

In 2000, Pope John Paul II named Sheltz a prelate of honor, with the title of Monsignor. In 2007, Sheltz was named Secretariat Director for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services. In 2010, he was named vicar general, chancellor and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese.[1]

Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston

On February 21, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Sheltz as Titular Bishop of Hirina and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. He was installed and consecrated at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo on May 2, 2012.[2][1] He served as Auxiliary Bishop until his retirement on June 22, 2021.[2]

In June 2019, an anonymous woman alleged in a letter to the Archdiocese that Sheltz had sexually abused her in 1971. The author threatened to make the charge public unless the transfer of her parish priest, Hai Dang, was reversed.[3] The allegation was investigated by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, which determined that they were totally baseless.[4]

Personal life and death

Sheltz died on December 21, 2021, at the age of 75.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Home - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston". www.archgh.org. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  2. ^ a b c "Bishop George Arthur Sheltz [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  3. ^ "Home - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston". www.archgh.org. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  4. ^ "Home - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston". www.archgh.org. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  5. ^ Rousselle, Christine (22 December 2021). "Galveston-Houston archdiocese mourns death of retired auxiliary Bishop Sheltz". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

Episcopal succession

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Roman Catholic Titular See of Hirina
2012–2021
Succeeded by
Vacant