Editor: Father Misko, the Diocese of Austin is without a bishop for the first time in 15 years. What’s next for our diocese?

Father Misko: With the installation of Archbishop Joe Vásquez in Galveston-Houston at the end of March, the Diocese of Austin entered a period of sede vacante, which literally means vacant seat, an period in between bishops during which the Holy Father discerns the next bishop of the Diocese of Austin.

The new pope will certainly consult with the papal nuncio (the pope’s ambassador to the U.S.), as well as with the Metropolitan Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, since the Diocese of Austin is a suffragan diocese of Galveston-Houston. The Holy Father will also consult other bishops and clergy in the area. The pope relies on the Holy Spirit as well as the lived experience of the people of God to make this important decision.

Editor: How long do you expect this time of sede vacante to be?

Father Misko: The timing is up to the Holy Spirit and the Holy Father. Sometimes it can be very quick — perhaps one or two months — or it could be six to nine months or more. However long it may be, this period of waiting can be a very fruitful time. We often think of waiting as difficult, but waiting might be one of the most profound ways of praying. In fact, sometimes waiting is a form of adoration of God, who waits to answer our prayers as a way of purifying our perspective. I think sede vacante is a wonderful time to reflect on the value of having a bishop by not having one. And, after this period of waiting, we will rejoice when our new shepherd is named.

Editor: You have been elected to lead us during this time. Tell us what it means to be the diocesan administrator.

Father Misko: The diocesan administrator has all the powers and responsibilities of a bishop, except for those that are reserved for bishops only in the universal law of the church. So basically, my job is to continue the steady and faithful work of Bishop Vásquez until a new bishop is ordained or installed. This is not a time for innovation or creation of new ministries but, rather, a time to maintain and steward the good ministries already bearing much fruit.

When I make decisions as the diocesan administrator, I will do so thinking, “What would Bishop Vásquez do?” This is a time of continuity and a time to focus on our most important ministry: the celebration of the sacraments, the proclamation of the Word of God and living out those moments of grace in the world.

Editor: Tell us more about you.

Father Misko: I was ordained in 2007 and served as parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Parish in Pflugerville. I then served as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Belton. During those first two assignments, I grew significantly in my priesthood. I often say that a man goes to seminary for seven, eight or nine years to learn how to be a priest, and then he goes to the parish and the people teach him how to live out his priesthood. From 2014 to 2019, I was privileged to serve as pastor of my home parish, St. Louis in Austin.

Then in 2019, Bishop Vásquez asked me to be the vicar general for the diocese. During the last six years, I learned much from Bishop Vásquez who himself led this diocese with the heart of a pastor. During this time of sede vacante my hope is to continue his steady and thoughtful leadership, which served this local church so well for 15 years.

Editor: What is your prayer for the Diocese of Austin?

Father Misko: We give thanks to God for Archbishop Vásquez and all he accomplished in this diocese by cooperating with God’s grace. Central Texas is growing rapidly, and our parishes remain vibrant and alive with the joy of Christ! I pray we will continue to encounter God through the sacraments and proclamation of the Word so as to answer the call to go out into the world and bring Christ to all we meet. I also pray for the man who will be our next bishop. May God give him courage to say yes in generosity and joy.