El Obispo Gregory Kelly visita a sus compañeros sacerdotes antes de ser instalado como el quinto obispo de la Diócesis de Tyler el lunes 24 de febrero de 2025, en el Centro de Conferencias W.T. Brookshire. (Les Hassell/Longview News-Journal Photo)

The Diocese of Tyler is embarking on a new chapter with the installation of new Bishop Gregory Kelly.

“There is a lot of unity, and also love,” said Mike Alzamora, a lector at St. Boniface Catholic Church. “I feel like we have a new beginning here, a new opportunity.”

For many East Texas Catholics, Kelly’s installation represents more than just a leadership change — it’s a moment of renewal. Hundreds of parishioners gathered Monday at the W.T. Brookshire Center in Tyler in celebration, expressing hope that his leadership will bring stability and spiritual guidance to the diocese.

Kelly was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Dallas in 1982 and served as an auxiliary bishop there from 2016 until his appointment as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Tyler.

“I really want to just focus on the way in which the Lord is present to us, keeps coming to us, giving Himself to us, and leading us,” Kelly said. “As bishop of Tyler, I don’t have to make up the mission — the mission is given.”

His role as bishop is to understand and carry out the mission before him. He expressed a commitment to leading the diocese by following God’s guidance, keeping his focus on faith and serving the community accordingly.

Kelly pointed out the difference in size between the Diocese of Tyler and the Diocese of Dallas, noting Tyler’s diocese covers three times the area but has a much smaller Catholic population.

He’s figuring out the best way to visit parishioners spread across such a wide region.

Counties in the Diocese of Tyler include Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Lamar, Leon, Madison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.

Before Kelly’s appointment, Bishop Joseph Strickland led the Diocese of Tyler from 2012 to 2023. Known for his strong conservative views and outspoken presence on social media, Strickland was a vocal critic of Pope Francis and some of his priorities.

In 2023, the pope removed Strickland from his role, and the bishop of Austin was assigned as the temporary administrator.

The Traditional Latin Mass, which had been celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler and four other parishes, was discontinued on Nov. 30. For many, this change, along with the removal of Strickland, marked the end of traditions they had grown deeply attached to.

Alzamora is optimistic about the opportunity ahead, seeing it as a chance for the faithful of the Diocese of Tyler to embrace a new chapter under Kelly’s leadership.

“You don’t necessarily choose a church because of who the priest is,” Alzamora said. “You choose to go to church… Because you want to learn more about God, and you want to grow your faith and to maintain your faith.”

For more information about the diocese, visit www.dioceseoftyler.org .