Pope Names New Bishop for Tucson Diocese
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Monsignor James A. Misko as the next bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, marking a significant leadership transition for the Catholic community in southern Arizona. The appointment was made public by the Holy See and communicated simultaneously in Washington through the apostolic nunciature. Monsignor Misko, a priest of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, has most recently served as vicar general and moderator of the curia, roles that placed him at the center of diocesan governance and pastoral coordination. His selection reflects a pattern seen in recent episcopal appointments that favors priests with experience in administration alongside parish leadership. He succeeds Bishop Edward Joseph Weisenburger, who was named archbishop of Detroit earlier this year, leaving Tucson in a period of interim governance now resolved by the papal decision.
Born in Los Angeles in 1970, Monsignor Misko brings a background shaped by both pastoral ministry and practical professional experience. Before entering seminary, he worked for nearly a decade in the restaurant industry, an experience often cited as formative in developing organizational and interpersonal skills. He later pursued academic studies in communications at St. Edward’s University in Austin before completing theological formation in Houston, earning a master of divinity degree. Ordained to the priesthood in 2007 for the Diocese of Austin, his early ministry included service as a parochial vicar followed by leadership roles in parish communities across central Texas. Over time, he was entrusted with increasingly complex responsibilities, including long term pastoral assignments and diocesan level oversight, positioning him as a figure familiar with both grassroots parish life and institutional leadership.
In 2019, Monsignor Misko was appointed vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Austin, placing him in a key role supporting the bishop and coordinating diocesan operations. In 2025, he also served for several months as diocesan administrator, guiding the local Church through a period of transition. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he is expected to bring pastoral sensitivity to a diocese marked by cultural diversity, migration, and cross border realities. The Diocese of Tucson faces ongoing challenges related to clergy support, demographic change, and social pressures unique to the US Southwest. The appointment signals continuity with broader priorities of the current pontificate, emphasizing pastoral presence, administrative competence, and attentiveness to local contexts. Monsignor Misko’s episcopal ministry will formally begin following his ordination and installation in Tucson in the coming months.
