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Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of Victoria, Texas, is pictured at the Vatican Jan. 20, 2020. It was announced Sept. 17, 2026, that Pope Leo XIV named Bishop Cahill as the new bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, Il. (OSV News photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Leo XIV names US bishops’ migration committee chair as new bishop of Joliet, Illinois


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OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of Victoria, Texas, as the new bishop of Joliet, Illinois.

The appointment was publicized in Washington Sept. 17 by Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The Diocese of Joliet has been administered by apostolic administrator Auxiliary Bishop Dennis E., named to the post when, in one of the most anticipated U.S. episcopal appointments of his pontificate so far, Pope Leo XIV appointed then-Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet as archbishop of New York on Dec. 18, 2025.

Bishop Cahill has headed the Diocese of Victoria since 2015 and began a three-year term as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration Last November after having served one year as chairman-elect.

Born on Nov. 28, 1963, in Coral Gables, Florida, in the Archdiocese of Miami, Bishop Cahill earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master of divinity from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, in collaboration with St. Mary’s Seminary.

He obtained a master’s degree in African-American studies from Xavier University in New Orleans, and a licentiate and doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

“These studies developed his knowledge and appreciation of the richness of culture in the expression of faith, and the depth of thought of the theologians and bishops involved in the Second Vatican Council,” his biography on the website of the Diocese of Victoria said.

Ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1990, he was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

He served first in parish ministry as parochial vicar at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Houston (1990–1992) and Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Spring (1992–1994).

He later devoted more than a decade to priestly formation at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, serving on its faculty from 1998 to 2001 and as rector from 2001 to 2010. From 2010 to 2014, he led the Archdiocesan Secretariat for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services, before becoming vicar for clergy in 2014. He also chaired the Priest Personnel Board and was a member of the Presbyteral Council.

Bishop Cahill has served as a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Sub-committee on African-American Affairs.

On April 23, 2015, he was appointed bishop of Victoria, Texas, and he was ordained a bishop and installed on June 29 of that year.

As chairman of the USCCB Committee for Migration, he launched the “You Are Not Alone” campaign in solidarity with migrants in November 2025, started “in response to the growing fear and instability caused by increased immigration enforcement and the threat of mass deportations.”

“Human dignity does not depend on immigration status,” he said in the video posted by USCCB. “It is given by God and cannot be taken away. In this moment, many immigrant families living in our communities are grappling with real fear and uncertainty, worrying about their children, their future, and whether they will be able to remain together as bishops and pastors,” he said as many families experienced fear from ICE raids.

“We want to speak clearly. The Church sees you, cares about you, and stands with you as children of God,” Bishop Cahill said, adding that “Our parishes are being encouraged to provide accurate information to immigrants, connect families with trusted resources, and create spaces where people can find both help and hope. Our faith teaches that every person is created in the image of God.”

Bishop Cahill also serves on the boards of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, and the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

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