Call from the Cardinal

As the Diocese of Tucson prepares for an ordination and installation of the eighth bishop the excitement continues over the appointment of Bishop-elect James A. Misko. At his press conference Monday, December 22, Misko shared how he learned he would become a bishop. Misko said he was driving to a parish in Waco, Texas to deliver a reflection on the O Antiphon, “When the nuncio called, I was going about 75 right down the interstate and when you see the 202-area code that’s when you know it’s from Washington.” He said the number was familiar because he had helped Bishop Daniel Garcia come on board in the Diocese of Austin and had worked closely with the cardinal’s office for the installation in September. Misko said it was Cardinal Christophe Pierre’s voice on the line, he said, “Can you pull off the road, ‘I said no I’m fine I’m going to keep going, cardinal.’ And so, I knew on that Saturday it was a beautiful conversation that we had.” 
Bishop-elect Misko said though he has driven through Tucson he never spent any significant time in the Old Pueblo, “I had no idea that I would ever be coming to Tucson, Arizona. Ever.  It never crossed my mind. And that’s how God is. Pope Francis called him the God of surprises. He surprised me that day. But what a wonderful surprise.” Misko, 55, was born in California and raised in Texas. In the week since learning the news Misko said he’s very much looking forward to this ministry, “I give God thanks for calling me and for walking with me. And I always say to him, and I did this morning when I woke up, ‘Lord, I am yours. Do with me as you will’.” 
At the press conference Bishop Gerald Kicanas, the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, said he was relieved by the announcement, “When you’re in a race you want to hand off the baton, but you want to know who you’re going to hand off the baton to and I’m just delighted that Bishop-elect James Misko will be our 8th bishop. From the time I met him he brings great energy, and enthusiasm.”  Kicanas is 84 and was serving as Bishop Emeritus when he was asked to step back into the role of governing the diocese. “We have been praying for a good pastor, a loving father, and a wise teacher. In the time I have met Bishop-elect Misko we have exactly what we have been praying for,” he said.
While in Tucson for 48 hours Misko celebrated Mass at Saint Augustine Cathedral and in Our Lady’s Chapel with the pastoral center staff, and met with seminarians. A fluent Spanish speaker Misko said he looks forward to serving this bilingual and multicultural community, “It’s so overwhelming. I have a deep sense of gratitude, and joy to be able to have a new family,” Misko said.


This week Bishop-elect Misko is in Rome and the Holy Land on a pilgrimage. His ordination and installation are scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2026. As he prepares for February Misko said he will continue to pray for the Diocese of Tucson, “Our lives have twists and turns. One decision that you made in your life could have changed your entire life. God is so smart in his providence. He brings all these things together. To think that one day, on this day, I would be meeting you and you would be meeting me. There’s no way that it’s anything other than God that made this happen today.”