81R5234 JKB-D
By: Ortiz, Jr. H.R. No. 200
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A distinguished ecclesiastical career is nearing
its end as the Most Reverend Edmond Carmody prepares to conclude his
service as bishop of Corpus Christi; and
WHEREAS, Born in Moyvane, County Kerry, Ireland, on January
12, 1934, Edmond Carmody entered the Major Seminary of St.
Patrick's College at Carlow, Ireland, in 1951 and was ordained to
the priesthood for the Archdiocese of San Antonio on June 8, 1957;
following his arrival in Texas, Bishop Carmody served as associate
pastor of St. Mary's Church in Victoria and in similar capacities at
St. Margaret Mary's and St. Henry's Churches in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, Bishop Carmody was named assistant
archdiocesan chaplain of scouts for his substantial involvement in
the scouting movement; he became chaplain of Incarnate Word High
School and secretary to the Archdiocesan Tribunal in San Antonio
the following year, and he continued to serve in those posts for the
next 17 years; during that time, he also completed a six-year term
as chaplain to the Texas Army National Guard; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Carmody furthered his education at Our Lady
of the Lake University in the late 1960s and early 1970s, earning
master's degrees in education and social work, and he is the
recipient of a doctorate of humane letters from the University of
the Incarnate Word in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Bishop Carmody was appointed director of
the Family Life Program, which garnered him national recognition
and a position as a delegate to the White House Conference on
Families in 1980; he left Texas in 1983 to perform missionary work
with the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle in Guayaquil,
Ecuador, and was called back to Texas in 1988 when he was selected
as auxiliary bishop of San Antonio by Pope John Paul II; and
WHEREAS, After his ordainment, Bishop Carmody served in San
Antonio until his assignment as bishop of the Diocese of Tyler in
May 1992, and he was named bishop of Corpus Christi in early 2000;
in addition to the duties of these offices, he has undertaken a
number of other important roles since 1992, including his work as
chairman of the missions committee and as a member of both the
Marriage and Family Life Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee on
Economic Concerns of the Holy See for the National Conference of
Catholic Bishops; moreover, he has served as state chaplain for the
Knights of Columbus and as an executive board member for the East
Texas Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Carmody has figured prominently in a number
of significant community endeavors during his tenure in Corpus
Christi; these include the creation of John Paul II High School and
the building of Mother Teresa Shelter, which serves as a vital
resource for Corpus Christi's homeless, and he has worked closely
with the Diabetes Association to promote education about the
disease; this esteemed Texan plans to remain in the area and
continue his work in behalf of the community after concluding his
official duties as bishop of the diocese; and
WHEREAS, The inspiring spiritual leadership of Bishop Edmond
Carmody has energized and unified the Diocese of Corpus Christi,
and residents will long benefit from his exceptional legacy of
faith and service to others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor the noteworthy career of Bishop Edmond
Carmody and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
happiness and fulfillment; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Bishop Carmody as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.