John Louis Morkovsky
Encyclopedia
John Louis Morkovsky was an Czech American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Amarillo
(1958-1963) and Bishop of Galveston-Houston
(1975-1984).
, Texas
, to Alois and Marie (née Raska) Morkovsky. His father came directly to the United States
from Moravia
, while his mother was the daughter of Moravian immigrants. He was baptized
by Rev. Louis P. Netardus at his parents' home. He attended St. John's Seminary in San Antonio
from 1924 until 1930, when he was sent to further his studies in Rome
at the College of the Propaganda
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
.
to the priesthood
by Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani on December 5, 1933. He later earned his doctorate in theology
in 1936. Upon his return to Texas in 1936, Morkovsky served as a curate
at St. Michael's Church in Weimar
until 1939. He was a curate at St. Anne's Church in San Antonio from 1939 to 1940, and a professor
of canon law
, Latin
and philosophy
at St. John's Seminary from 1940 to 1941. He briefly served as pastor
of St. Francis de Paula Church and superintendent
of Catholic school
s in San Antonio.
From 1941 to 1943, Morkovsky attended the Catholic University of America
in Washington, D.C.
, from where he obtained a Master of Arts
degree in education
. He then resumed his duties as superintendent in San Antonio, in which capacity he remained until 1956. During that time, he also served as judge
of the archdiocesan matrimonial court
(1944-56), pastor of St. Leo's Church in San Antonio (1945-54), archdiocesan consultor
(1947-56), and pastor of St. Mary Magdalene's Church in San Antonio (1954-56). He was also moderator of the San Antonio Deanery Council of Catholic Women and director of the Legion of Decency
, and organized the Federation of Catholic Parents' and Teachers' Clubs in San Antonio.
of Amarillo
and Titular Bishop
of Hieron by Pope Pius XII
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on February 22, 1956 from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Bishops Mariano Simon Garriga
and Sidney Matthew Metzger
serving as co-consecrators
. In addition to his duties as auxiliary bishop, he also served as chancellor
and vicar general
of the Diocese of Amarillo
.
Less than two months before his death, Pius XII named Morkovsky the fourth Bishop of Amarillo
on August 18, 1958. He remained in Amarillo as the spiritual leader of Catholics in the Texas Panhandle
for four years.
of Galveston-Houston
and Titular Bishop of Tigava by the ailing Pope John XXIII
. He became Apostolic Administrator
of the diocese under Bishop Wendelin Joseph Nold
, who suffered from near total blindness
. He also attended the Second Vatican Council
from 1962 to 1965. In 1964 he founded the diocesan newspaper
The Texas Catholic Herald and hosted the visit of Cardinal Josef Beran. He established the first diocesan mission
in Guatemala City
in 1966, and the Hospital Chaplain
s Corps at Houston Medical Center in 1968. From 1970 to 1972, he was the first Catholic bishop to preside over the Texas Conference of Churches.
Morkovsky later succeeded Nold as the sixth Bishop of Galveston-Houston
on April 22, 1975. During his tenure, he established African American
and Mexican American
ministries and gave special attention to low-income parishioners and Houston's large Vietnam
ese community. The Catholic Church in Texas continued to experience tremendous growth which led to further divisions of the diocese, including the Diocese of Beaumont
(1966), Victoria
(1982), and Tyler
(1987).
. At age 80, he died from a stroke
in Tacoma, Washington
, where he was visiting relatives. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Houston.
Czech American
Czech Americans are citizens of the United States who were born in, or who descended from, the territory of the historic Czech lands, , or succession states, now known as the Czech Republic...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as Bishop of Amarillo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Amarillo Texas. It was founded on August 3, 1926 .The diocese's past bishops include:*Rudolph Gerken *Robert Emmet Lucey *Laurence Julius...
(1958-1963) and Bishop of Galveston-Houston
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston encompasses of ten counties in the southeastern area of Texas: Galveston; Harris; Austin; Brazoria; Fort Bend; Grimes; Montgomery; San Jacinto; Walker; and Waller.The chancery of the diocese is located in Downtown Houston. The Archdiocese's...
(1975-1984).
Early life and education
The seventh of ten children, John Morkovsky was born in PrahaPraha, Texas
Praha is an unincorporated community located in Fayette County, Texas, United States, approximately 53 miles southeast of Austin.-History:...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, to Alois and Marie (née Raska) Morkovsky. His father came directly to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, while his mother was the daughter of Moravian immigrants. He was baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
by Rev. Louis P. Netardus at his parents' home. He attended St. John's Seminary in San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
from 1924 until 1930, when he was sent to further his studies in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
at the College of the Propaganda
Pontifical Urbaniana University
The Pontifical Urbaniana University or Pontifical Urban University is a pontifical university under the authority of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.-History:...
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
.
Priesthood
While in Rome, Morkovsky was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani on December 5, 1933. He later earned his doctorate in theology
Doctor of Sacred Theology
The Doctor of Sacred Theology is the final theological degree in the pontifical university system of the Catholic Church....
in 1936. Upon his return to Texas in 1936, Morkovsky served as a curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Michael's Church in Weimar
Weimar, Texas
Weimar is a city in Colorado County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,981 at the 2000 census.In 1873 the town was founded as Jackson, but subsequently called Weimar in tribute to the German city of Weimar....
until 1939. He was a curate at St. Anne's Church in San Antonio from 1939 to 1940, and a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of canon law
Canon law (Catholic Church)
The canon law of the Catholic Church, is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation. It lacks the necessary binding force present in most modern day legal systems. The academic...
, Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at St. John's Seminary from 1940 to 1941. He briefly served as pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of St. Francis de Paula Church and superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
of Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
s in San Antonio.
From 1941 to 1943, Morkovsky attended the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, from where he obtained a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. He then resumed his duties as superintendent in San Antonio, in which capacity he remained until 1956. During that time, he also served as judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
of the archdiocesan matrimonial court
Ecclesiastical court
An ecclesiastical court is any of certain courts having jurisdiction mainly in spiritual or religious matters. In the Middle Ages in many areas of Europe these courts had much wider powers than before the development of nation states...
(1944-56), pastor of St. Leo's Church in San Antonio (1945-54), archdiocesan consultor
Consultor
A consultor is one who gives counsel, i.e. a counselor.In the Catholic Church, it is a specific title for various advisory positions:*in the Roman Curia, a consultor is a specially appointed expert who may be called upon for advice desired by a department...
(1947-56), and pastor of St. Mary Magdalene's Church in San Antonio (1954-56). He was also moderator of the San Antonio Deanery Council of Catholic Women and director of the Legion of Decency
National Legion of Decency
The National Legion of Decency was an organization dedicated to identifying and combating objectionable content, from the point of view of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, in motion pictures...
, and organized the Federation of Catholic Parents' and Teachers' Clubs in San Antonio.
Amarillo
On December 22, 1955, Morkovsky was appointed Auxiliary BishopAuxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Amarillo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Amarillo Texas. It was founded on August 3, 1926 .The diocese's past bishops include:*Rudolph Gerken *Robert Emmet Lucey *Laurence Julius...
and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Hieron by Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on February 22, 1956 from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Bishops Mariano Simon Garriga
Mariano Simon Garriga
Mariano Simon Garriga was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Corpus Christi from 1949 until his death in 1965.-Biography:...
and Sidney Matthew Metzger
Sidney Matthew Metzger
Sidney Matthew Metzger, STD, JCD was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of El Paso from 1942 to 1978.-Biography:...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. In addition to his duties as auxiliary bishop, he also served as chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
and vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of the Diocese of Amarillo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Amarillo Texas. It was founded on August 3, 1926 .The diocese's past bishops include:*Rudolph Gerken *Robert Emmet Lucey *Laurence Julius...
.
Less than two months before his death, Pius XII named Morkovsky the fourth Bishop of Amarillo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Amarillo Texas. It was founded on August 3, 1926 .The diocese's past bishops include:*Rudolph Gerken *Robert Emmet Lucey *Laurence Julius...
on August 18, 1958. He remained in Amarillo as the spiritual leader of Catholics in the Texas Panhandle
Texas Panhandle
The Texas Panhandle is a region of the U.S. state of Texas consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state. The panhandle is a rectangular area bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east...
for four years.
Galveston-Houston
On April 16, 1963, Morkovsky was appointed Coadjutor BishopCoadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of Galveston-Houston
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston encompasses of ten counties in the southeastern area of Texas: Galveston; Harris; Austin; Brazoria; Fort Bend; Grimes; Montgomery; San Jacinto; Walker; and Waller.The chancery of the diocese is located in Downtown Houston. The Archdiocese's...
and Titular Bishop of Tigava by the ailing Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
. He became Apostolic Administrator
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
of the diocese under Bishop Wendelin Joseph Nold
Wendelin Joseph Nold
Wendelin Joseph Nold was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Galveston-Houston from 1950 to 1975.-Biography:...
, who suffered from near total blindness
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
. He also attended the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
from 1962 to 1965. In 1964 he founded the diocesan newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
The Texas Catholic Herald and hosted the visit of Cardinal Josef Beran. He established the first diocesan mission
Catholic missions
As the church normally organizes itself along territorial lines, and because they had the human and material resources, religious orders—some even specializing in it—undertook most missionary work, especially in the early phases...
in Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
in 1966, and the Hospital Chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
s Corps at Houston Medical Center in 1968. From 1970 to 1972, he was the first Catholic bishop to preside over the Texas Conference of Churches.
Morkovsky later succeeded Nold as the sixth Bishop of Galveston-Houston
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston encompasses of ten counties in the southeastern area of Texas: Galveston; Harris; Austin; Brazoria; Fort Bend; Grimes; Montgomery; San Jacinto; Walker; and Waller.The chancery of the diocese is located in Downtown Houston. The Archdiocese's...
on April 22, 1975. During his tenure, he established African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
and Mexican American
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
ministries and gave special attention to low-income parishioners and Houston's large Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
ese community. The Catholic Church in Texas continued to experience tremendous growth which led to further divisions of the diocese, including the Diocese of Beaumont
Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont is a Roman Catholic diocese covering thirteen counties and portions of two others in Texas. The diocese was founded on September 29, 1966; the first bishop was Most Rev. Vincent Madeley Harris, D.D. St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica serves as the cathedral church...
(1966), Victoria
Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria in Texas
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria in Texas is a Roman Catholic diocese in Victoria, Texas. It was founded on April 13, 1982. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory serves as the cathedral church...
(1982), and Tyler
Roman Catholic Diocese of Tyler
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tyler is a Roman Catholic diocese in Texas. It was founded on December 12, 1986.The Diocese of Tyler was created December 12, 1986 and erected on February 24, 1987.It comprises 33 counties:* Anderson* Angelina* Bowie...
(1987).
Later life and death
After nine years as diocesan bishop, Morkovsky resigned on August 21, 1984. He continued to live in his home on the grounds of St. Mary's Seminary in HoustonHouston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. At age 80, he died from a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, where he was visiting relatives. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Houston.