Michael T. Castori
Michael T. Castori | |
|---|---|
| Bishop-elect of Honolulu | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Honolulu |
| Appointed | May 6, 2026 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 13, 1998 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 21, 1960 |
| Education | Harvard University Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley University of California, Berkeley Fordham University |
Michael Thomas Tupou Castori[1] (born October 21, 1960) is an American Catholic priest and a member of the Society of Jesus who was appointed the sixth Bishop of Honolulu in 2026.
Early life and education
[edit]Michael Thomas Castori was born on October 21, 1960, in Sacramento, California. He is the son of Michael and Lucille (née Schneider) Castori; he has two older sisters, JoAnn and Pamela.[2] He attended Jesuit High School in the Sacramento suburb of Carmichael, graduating in 1978.[1] He then received a Bachelor's degree in classics from Harvard University in 1982.[3]
As a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Castori ministered to the homeless in Baltimore (1984–1985) and served as instructor for the Collegiate Program at St. Ignatius House of Studies in Guam (1985–1987).[3] In 1987, he entered the Society of Jesus.[4] While associated with the Jesuits' New York-based East Province, he earned a Master's degree in philosophical resources from Fordham University (1991) and served in Catholic chaplaincies at Crouse-Irving Memorial Hospital in Syracuse (1987–1989) and St. Barnabas Hospital in The Bronx (1989–1991).[3]
Castori then engaged in pastoral ministry in the South Pacific, first serving in a chaplaincy at Suva Prison (1991–1994) and teaching philosophy at Pacific Regional Seminary (1991–1994) in Fiji.[3] He then served at parishes in Nukuʻalofa and Haʻapai in Tonga. He was given the Tongan name Tupou by a family during his time in the region.[1] He later studied at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, receiving a Master of Divinity in 1998.
Priesthood
[edit]Castori was ordained to the priesthood on June 13, 1998.[5] The following year, he studied Hebrew languages at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.[1] He later received a PhD in Near Eastern religions from the University of California, Berkeley (2008) and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from Fordham University (2009).
From 2008 to 2013, Castori served in campus ministry and as an assistant professor in the department of religious studies at Santa Clara University. He then served as associate pastor at All Saints Church in Hayward (2014–2024) and vicar for clergy for the Diocese of Oakland (2021–2025). In 2025, he became rector of the Arrupe Jesuit Residence at Seattle University.
Episcopal career
[edit]On May 6, 2026, Castori was appointed to succeed Larry Silva as the sixth Bishop of Honolulu by Pope Leo XIV.[5][3][6] He is scheduled to be consecrated bishop and installed at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus on July 28.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Meet Bishop-Elect Michael Castori, S.J." Diocese of Honolulu. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ^ "Lucille Castori Obituary". Sacramento Bee.
- ^ a b c d e "Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop Larry Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu; Appoints Reverend Michael Castori, SJ, as Successor". Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ^ "Fr. Michael Castori, SJ, Appointed Bishop of Honolulu". Society of Jesus.
- ^ a b "Resignations and Appointments, 06.05.2026". Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ^ "Pope Leo XIV appoints Father Michael Castori as next bishop of Honolulu". Retrieved May 6, 2026.
