Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Mario Alberto Avilés to serve as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas, according to a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops press release issued Dec. 1.
Bishop Avilés succeeds Bishop W. Michael Mulvey, whose resignation was accepted by the Pope after overseeing the diocese since 2010.
Bishop Avilés is a Mexico City native and member of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri. Since his ordination in 1998, he spent decades in parish and school ministry before Pope Francis appointed him as an auxiliary bishop of Brownsville, Texas, in 2017.
In a statement, Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville described Bishop Avilés’ new appointment as one met “with joy and thanksgiving.”
“Christ the Good Shepherd, through the decision of Pope Leo XIV, now calls Bishop Mario to offer his many gifts for the glory of God and good of the people in the Diocese of Corpus Christi,” Bishop Flores said.
Bishop Flores noted a long-standing connection between the dioceses, recalling that Corpus Christi has historically provided clergy who later went on to serve in Brownsville. Both Bishop Flores and Bishop Raymundo Peña began their priestly ministry in Corpus Christi before being appointed to Brownsville.
“Now, by God’s providence, a moment has arrived for the Diocese of Brownsville to share of her clergy for service to the people of the Diocese of Corpus Christi,” Bishop Flores added.
Brownsville, he said, will miss Bishop Avilés’ “wise counsel and good judgment, his joyful presence in our parish communities, and his administrative skills in the service of our diocesan offices and Catholic Schools.”
