bishop of Pensacola-tallahassee

The Most Reverend William A. Wack, CSC is the sixth bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee. Appointed by Pope Francis on May 29, 2017, he was ordained and installed as bishop on August 22, 2017.

Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, to Dr. James and Alice Wack, Bishop Wack (pronounced “wok” from the German Wach) is the ninth of ten children. He attended Christ the King Catholic School and graduated from LaSalle (public) High School. Bishop Wack entered formation at the Old College Undergraduate Seminary at the University of Notre Dame where he earned a degree in government and international relations in 1989.

After professing initial vows upon completing his novitiate with the Congregation of Holy Cross, he earned a Master of Divinity which he received in 1993. Bishop Wack professed solemn vows on August 28, 1993, and was ordained a priest on April 9, 1994 at Sacred Heart Basilica at the University of Notre Dame. Following ordination, he served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in Colorado Springs. In July 1997, he returned to Notre Dame as associate director of vocations for the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In addition, he served as director of the Freshman Retreat Program at Notre Dame and worked in Campus Ministry until 2002. Bishop Wack then moved to Arizona to serve as director of André House of Hospitality, which serves the homeless and poor of Central Phoenix from 2002 until 2008. Prior to his appointment as Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, he served not only as pastor of St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin, Texas, but also as vicar forane of the Central Austin Deanery.

As bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, he wrote and released his first Pastoral Letter, Sharing the Gift, on November 6, 2021 – the anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. On October 12, 2023, Bishop Wack closed the diocesan phase of the Cause for Beatification for Servants of God Antonio Inija and 57 Companions with a Mass of Thanksgiving.

Bishop Wack currently serves as an active member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations; the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catholic Communication Campaign; and the USCCB Bishops Working Group on Youth and Young Adults. He serves as treasurer of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, a member of the Board of Governors of Catholic Extension, the Episcopal Liaison for the National Council of Catholic Women, and the Episcopal Advisor for the Catholic Prison Ministry Coalition. Bishop Wack also serves as a member of the board for the Florida Housing Enterprises, Inc.


Education
BA, Government and International Relations, University of Notre Dame (1989)
M.Div., University of Notre Dame (1993)
Certificate in Executive Management (Supervisory Training), Notre Dame (2002)

Ministry Experience
Pastor, eight years.  St. Ignatius Martyr Parish, Austin, Texas.
Clinical Pastoral Education, one unit. Federal Correctional Institution, Pleasanton, CA
Deacon and Associate Pastor, four years. Sacred Heart Parish, Colorado Springs, CO
Associate Director of Vocations, five years. Congregation of Holy Cross, Indiana Province
Director of Freshman Retreat Program, three years. Notre Dame.
Director of André House (Catholic Worker House). Six-and-a-half years. Arizona

Community Involvement
Board Member, Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission, CO (1996-98)
Board Member, Holy Cross Associates, IN (1998-2002)
Board of Trustees Member, Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN (2000-2003)
Board Member, Catholic Charities, Phoenix, AZ (2003-2008)
Board Member, St. Louise House, TX (2010-2013)
Member, Diocesan School Advisory Board, Diocese of Austin, TX
Member, Presbyter Council – Diocese of Austin, TX
Dean, Austin Central Deanery, Diocese of Austin, TX

Religious Life
Entered Seminary, August 1985
Completed Novitiate, August 1989-1990
Professed Final Vows, August 28, 1993
Ordained Deacon, August 29, 1993
Ordained Priest, April 9, 1994

updated June 21, 2024