Stillwater Native Named New Auxiliary Bishop For Twin Cities

Stillwater MN

16 December, 2021

12:39 PM

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STILLWATER, MN — Pope Francis has chosen a Stillwater native to be the next auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Rev. Joseph Williams, 47, is the pastor of the Church of St. Stephen and the Church of the Holy Rosary in Minneapolis. The bishop-elect, who grew up in Stillwater, also serves as the vicar for Latino ministry for the Twin Cities archdiocese. He will replace Auxiliary Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens, who Pope Francis recently appointed to be bishop of Crookston. Williams attended St. Croix Catholic School and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1992. He earned a degree in biology from the University of Minnesota-Morris, then felt called to the priesthood during his time at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. Williams joined The Saint Paul Seminary in 1998 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2002. Williams said he was "humbled and honored by Pope Francis' appointment" to be the new auxiliary bishop for the Twin Cities region. "I love Jesus and His Church, and I look forward to joining the faithful of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in sharing that love with our neighbors, especially the poor and the immigrant," Williams said in a statement. "I have had the privilege of serving our Spanish-speaking sisters and brothers for over 15 years. Their tender love of God and devotion to the priesthood have inspired me to live out my vows daily." "I am confident the Holy Spirit will show Archbishop Hebda how I may best support him in caring for all the wonderful people of this Archdiocese," Williams said. "Please pray for us." Williams is the third of nine children. His brother, Peter, is the pastor of the Saint Ambrose Catholic Community in Woodbury. REGIONAL NEWS: Online Threat, Rumors Led To Modified Lockdown At Stillwater HighGoFundMe Launched To Help Family Of Woodbury Teen Killed In CrashSexual Assault Lawsuit Filed Against McDonald's In Maple GrovePatch Holiday Food Drive In Stillwater: Give To Feeding America