Diocese of Tucson welcomes 8th bishop

The Diocese of Tucson joyfully welcomed its eighth bishop on the first Friday of Lent. The Most Reverend James A. Misko was ordained and installed February 20, 2026, inside Saint Augustine Cathedral in downtown Tucson.

The priest from the Diocese of Austin was appointed by Pope Leo XIV on December 22, 2025. Misko’s appointment was the first episcopal ordination in the diocese in 73 years. He succeeded Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger who was appointed to the Archdiocese of Detroit in February 2025.


It was a historic celebration with 22 bishops, and His Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America. Archbishop John Wester from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe presided at the Mass. The co-ordaining bishops were Most Reverend Joe Vásquez, the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, and Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia, the Bishop of Austin. Archbishop Wester, in his homily said, “Just as Christ gives of himself to us so also will Bishop Misko give of himself to you placing his teaching, governing, and sanctifying ministry at your service and the service of the universal Church.”


There were nearly 1,500 people in the cathedral while thousands more viewed the live stream. Archbishop Wester said, “The ordination and installation of your new bishop is just one more expression of God’s love for us.” At Solemn Vespers Thursday evening Archbishop Vásquez said,  “You will be a blessing to the people entrusted to your care. The people will be a blessing to their new bishop. Christ is alive in the Diocese of Tucson.”



Bishop Misko was born in California and raised in Texas. As a child he attended Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin. During his closing remarks, Bishop Misko thanked his mother Geraldine, “She taught me how to pray. There were days when we would drive around, a typical summer day and she would, like a Tuesday, pull into the church and I would say, ‘Mom, why are we going in to church and she would say, ‘We’re going in to pay a visit’. And we would go in and we would kneel for five minutes and then we’d get back in the car and go about our day. She taught me how to pray and how to love God.” 

Bishop Misko is bilingual and delivered remarks in English and Spanish. He thanked his brother bishops, priests, and laity saying, “I am your bishop and I give myself to you.” He said the occasion was momentous for the historic diocese, which has existed since 1897, “When I learn from you and you learn from me, we will be well together. We will grow in wisdom and holiness together. Please pray for me and know that I will be praying for you every day.”

The 55-year-year joined the seminary at the age of 30. While in the Diocese of Austin he served as a member of the College of Consultors, Presbyteral and Finance Councils, in addition to boards, and committees. Before being appointed to Tucson Misko served as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. He also provided steady leadership to the Diocese of Austin during the transition of Archbishop Joe Vásquez and Bishop Daniel Garcia. Bishop Misko is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, and fourth degree Knight of Columbus.
At the Mass of Ordination and Installation were Bishop Gerald Kicanas, the sixth bishop of Tucson and Archbishop Edward Weisenburger, the seventh bishop. Bishop Kicanas had been serving as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until Bishop Misko’s ordination and installation. During an interview Archbishop Weisenburger said of his predecessor, “I think he’s the kind of shepherd that can really rally the flock and move them forward.”