86R7066 CW-D
By: Hinojosa H.R. No. 96
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Bishop John E. McCarthy of Austin passed away on
August 18, 2018, at the age of 88, leaving behind an exceptional
record of social advocacy and charity work; and
WHEREAS, John McCarthy was born in Houston on June 21, 1930,
to George and Grace McCarthy; a graduate of St. Thomas High School,
he received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in theology
from the University of St. Thomas; and
WHEREAS, Ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1956, Bishop
McCarthy spent the early years of his career in Pasadena, where he
served as assistant pastor at St. Pius Parish; following his tenure
as assistant pastor at St. Cecilia's Parish and administrator of
All Saints' Parish, both in Houston, he was appointed executive
director of the Bishops' Committee for the Spanish Speaking in San
Antonio; and
WHEREAS, From 1967 through 1969, Bishop McCarthy was involved
with the U.S. Catholic Conference in Washington, D.C., and served
as director of the Division for Poverty Programs; embracing the
civil rights movement, he became a founding member of the Catholic
Campaign for Human Development, which addresses poverty nationwide
and holds civic leaders accountable for their communities; he
returned to Houston in 1969 as pastor of St. Theresa's Parish and
went on to serve as executive director of the Texas Catholic
Conference and auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of
Galveston-Houston; and
WHEREAS, Appointed bishop of the Austin Diocese in 1986,
Bishop McCarthy dedicated himself to meeting the needs of his
fast-growing district throughout his 15-year tenure; known for his
signature mantra of "Let us go forth, and let us go forth together,"
he established missionary programs, encouraged social advocacy and
charity work, and opened Catholic schools and parishes, never
seeking recognition for his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Profoundly devoted to his faith, to serving the
poor, and to reaching out to people of all backgrounds, Bishop John
McCarthy touched the lives of countless individuals in ways beyond
measure, and his compassionate, selfless works will be remembered
with deepest appreciation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Bishop John E.
McCarthy and extend deepest sympathy to all those who mourn his
passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bishop John
McCarthy.