Bishop's Corner and Diocese News

The Diocese of Camden announced on March 17, 2025 

Bishop Joseph Andrew Williams

 Appointed Nineth Bishop of the Diocese of Camden

 


About Bishop Williams

Bishop Williams was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 2002. His episcopal ordination took place January 25, 2022, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Prior to his appointment as auxiliary bishop and current assignment as moderator and priest-in-solidum of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Saint Paul, he served as pastor of Saint Stephen in Minneapolis (2008-2022); parochial administrator of Holy Rosary in Minneapolis (2020-2022); ministered as a parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Saint Paul (2002-2004) and at Divine Mercy in Faribault (2004-2005). He was pastor of Saint Mathias in Hampton and Saint Mary in New Trier (2005-2008). He has also served as coordinator of the Archdiocesan Outreach to Persons with Disabilities (2003-2005).

He was appointed the Archdiocesan Vicar for Latino Ministry in 2018. He is a member of the board of trustees for The Saint Paul Seminary and Saint John Vianney College Seminary. He has served as chaplain of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Born May 2, 1974, to Dr. Gary and Mary McDonald Williams, Bishop Williams is the third of nine children. He grew up in Stillwater, where he attended Saint Croix Catholic School and Stillwater High School. His brother, Father Peter Williams, ordained in 2004, is a priest of the Archdiocese, and is Pastor of Saint Ambrose in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Bishop Williams holds a B.A. in biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris, graduating summa cum laude in 1996. He studied philosophy and pre-theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, from 1996-1998 and attended The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul from 1998-2002, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest at age 28.

Bishop Williams is known for his longtime ministry to Latino and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, beginning in Faribault, where he and other parish leaders worked to bring healing to a Latino community that had been wounded by drug raids. Members of both of his most recent parishes are predominantly Latino, and he has worked to change negative cultural perceptions of undocumented immigrants. He has led neighborhood-based evangelization efforts, which include knocking on doors and inviting people to Mass and faith formation.

Diocesan Podcasts and YouTube Resources

https://www.camdendiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Diocesan-audio-Podcasts-and-YouTube-resources-to-listen-to-and-view-.pdf

Additional Diocese Live Stream Options

Diocese Live Stream Masses

Diocese Employment Opportunities

https://www.camdendiocese.org/category/c555-human-resources/c467-employment/

Directory of Select Support Groups and Agencies in the Camden Diocese

National Suicide Prevention Mental Health Crisis Lifeline 800-273-8255

For the Contents below go to: Microsoft Word - Support Groups Directory 12.2021 (camdendiocese.org)

Bereavement/Grief Support 
Spanish Bereavement Support 
English Bereavement Support 
General Bereavement Support
Specialized Bereavement Support 
Cancer Care Ministry 
Support for Those Affected by Addictions 
Drug and/or Alcohol Addiction 
Sexual Addictions page 
Co-Dependents Anonymous 
Debtors Anonymous 
Gamblers Anonymous 
Divorce Care Ministry 
Other Support Groups and Services 
Abortion Recovery 
Camden Center for Law & Social Justice 
Catholic Charities 
Child Abuse/Neglect 
Domestic Violence 
Emotions Anonymous 
Family Support 
Gun Violence Survival 
Health Care and More 
VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services & Stephen Ministry 
Housing 
Marriage and Reproductive Help 
Material Help 
Meals and More
Moms in Need (pregnancy, family, mother and child services)
Breast Milk Donation