George Sheltz

Sheltz was born April 20, 1946, in Houston, Texas to George and Margaret Sheltz. He attended Annunciation Catholic School and St. Thomas High School, both in Houston. [1]

While in high school, Sheltz decided to enter the priesthood. After graduation, he entered St. Mary's Seminary and the University of St. Thomas, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Master's in Theology.[1]

On May 15, 1971, Sheltz was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston by Bishop John Louis Morkovsky.[2]

After his ordination, Sheltz performed pastoral duties in five Houston parishes: Assumption, Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral; St. Vincent de Paul, Christ the Redeemer, and Prince of Peace. He also served at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Woodlands, Texas. [1]

While working in the parish, Sheltz also served as Dean of the San Jacinto Deanery and Episcopal Vicar of the Northern Vicariate. [1]

In 2000, Pope John Paul II named Sheltz a prelate of honor, with the title of Monsignor. In 2007, Sheltz was named Secretariat Director for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services. In 2010, he was named vicar general, chancellor and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese.[1]

On February 21, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Sheltz as Titular Bishop of Hirina and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. He was installed and consecrated at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo on May 2, 2012.[2][1] He served as Auxiliary Bishop until his retirement on June 22, 2021.[2]

In June 2019, an anonymous woman alleged in a letter to the Archdiocese that Sheltz had sexually abused her in 1971. The author threatened to make the charge public unless the transfer of her parish priest, Hai Dang, was reversed.[3] The allegation was investigated by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, which determined that they were totally baseless.[4]