Fiorenza, a long-time local Catholic archbishop, died Sept. 19 at 91, leaving a swath of...
Theresa Baltrip moves her walker as she says goodbye to Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. She said she worked for his family in Beaumont as a domestic worker while he was studying to become a priest. “It’s been a lifelong friendship,” she said.
A framed photo of Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza greets visitors as he lies in state Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston.She admired his civil rights advocacy, she said -- a theme other mourners would echo.“I just had to say prayers, she said, after rising slowly to her feet,"and spend a little time."
“We’ve just known him and love him,” she said. “He truly was the reason why there are so many Roman Catholics in Houston right now.”