Learn more about St. Francis Xavier, co-Patron of the Missions. 

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By: Julie Bourbon
 

Bishop Mark J. Seitz was appointed the sixth bishop of the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, by Pope Francis in 2013. A former pastor of parishes in Garland, Waxahachie and Dallas, Texas, Bishop Seitz has taught liturgy and sacramental theology at the University of Dallas and served as vice-rector and director of liturgy at Holy Trinity Seminary. He will serve as chairman of the Committee on Migration and Refugee Services for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) beginning in November 2022. 

The following conversation with Bishop Seitz has been edited for clarity and length. 

What is it about working with migrants and refugees that calls to you so deeply? 
The Gospel is the simple answer. It’s just so easily found in those pages, and in the roots of Jesus himself—about the care for our neighbor, about a special love for the poor, the way that he always challenged his listeners by placing those who were looked down upon by the society of his time in the position of the ones who did it right. Take the parables of the Good Samaritan and the 10 lepers, for instance.

In my ministry, I’ve always been drawn to try to serve those in need. In my early years as a priest, that meant being involved in the pro-life movement. Mother Teresa gave us guidance on this: The unborn child was among the poorest of the poor, the ones who had no voice. 

When I was named bishop of El Paso in 2013, I moved from dealing with the border between the womb and the world, to the border between our country and other nations. To me it was a very natural transition to consider these borders, as well. 

Enter their story here!

USCMA receives complimentary books about missiology, theology, and spirituality for review.

Our current feature book is Facing Apocalypse – Climate, Democracy, and Other Last Chances by theologian Catherine Keller. Published by Orbis Books (2021). For this book or a current listing, email Nichole Petty, USCMA Office Manager.