Pope appoints new bishop of Tucson, Arizona

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father James A. Misko of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, as the next bishop of Tucson, Arizona, the Holy See Press Office announced Dec. 22. Bishop-elect Misko will step into the position last held by now-Archbishop Edward Weisenburger, who was appointed to serve in the archdiocese of Detroit in February. 

Fr. Misko brings administrative experience to the role, as he has served as the vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Austin since 2019, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said in a Dec. 22 press release. From March to September of this year, he was also the Austin diocesan administrator, according to the release.  

Born in 1970 in California and raised in Austin, Texas, Fr. Misko earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from St. Edward University in Austin in 1993. Prior to entering seminary, he had a career in the restaurant industry between 1991 and 2000, according to the USCCB. He entered seminary at age 30 and went on to earn a Master of Arts in theological studies, a Master of Divinity, and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the university and St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas, according to the diocese and USCCB. He was ordained to the priesthood in June of 2007. 

He has since served as pastor of several local parishes.  

Bishop-elect Misko’s hobbies include cycling, gardening, traveling and cooking, according to the Diocese of Tucson. The diocese also describes him as an avid golfer and says he enjoys visiting local restaurants and coffee shops.  

According to the diocese, as the new bishop he will shepherd some 400,000 Catholics at 77 parishes across nine counties. 

His ordination and installation as bishop will take place Feb. 20, 2026. 

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