Pope Francis names new auxiliary bishop of Minneapolis, St. Paul

Friday, Pope Francis named the Rev. Joseph Williams as a new auxiliary bishop of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Bishop-elect Williams, 47, is currently the pastor of the Church of St. Stephen and the Church of the Holy Rosary, both in Minneapolis, according to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Williams also serves as vicar for Latino ministry for the archdiocese.

"I am humbled and honored by Pope Francis’ appointment," Williams said in a statement, in part. "I love Jesus and his church, and I look forward to joining the faithful of St. Paul and Minneapolis in sharing that love with our neighbors, especially the poor and the immigrant."

As an auxiliary bishop, Williams will work alongside Archbishop Bernard Hebda to lead the church in the archdiocese, which encompasses the 12-county metro area.

"Having been inspired by his leadership at St. Stephen and Holy Rosary, his heart for the poor and those on the periphery, his evangelical zeal, and his leadership as vicar for Latino ministry, I am particularly delighted by the appointment and am confident that the archdiocese will benefit greatly from his example, discernment and leadership," Hebda said in a statement about the appointment.

A Stillwater native, Williams earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Minnesota-Morris. He then enrolled at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio, and then went on to be accepted into the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. He was ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese in 2002.

Currently, Williams also serves on the board of trustees of The Seminaries of St. Paul. He has served as chaplain of the Minnesota House of Representatives and as the Coordinator of Archdiocesan Outreach to Persons with Disabilities.

His episcopal ordination is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2022, at the Cathedral of St. Paul.