
David Eugene Fellhauer
American Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Victoria in Texas
- Lifespan
- August 19, 1939 – March 3, 2026Aug 19, 1939 – Mar 3, 2026
- Location
- Victoria, Texas, USAVictoria, TX

American Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Victoria in Texas
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Key moments and achievements from David Fellhauer's life.
David was born
· Victoria, Texas, USA
Education
David Fellhauer completed his high school, college, and seminary training at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, one of America's premier Roman Catholic seminaries. His comprehensive formation at the Josephinum prepared him for a career in both parish ministry and canon law that would span five decades of service to the Catholic Church.
Education
David Fellhauer completed his high school, college, and seminary training at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, one of America's premier Roman Catholic seminaries. His comprehensive formation at the Josephinum prepared him for a career in both parish ministry and canon law that would span five decades of service to the Catholic Church.
Career Achievement
On May 29, 1965, David Fellhauer was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dallas. His ordination marked the beginning of a 25-year ministry in the Dallas diocese during which he served in parishes across the metropolitan area and worked in the diocesan Chancery Office, specializing in canon law.
Career Achievement
On May 29, 1965, David Fellhauer was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dallas. His ordination marked the beginning of a 25-year ministry in the Dallas diocese during which he served in parishes across the metropolitan area and worked in the diocesan Chancery Office, specializing in canon law.
Education
Fellhauer pursued advanced postgraduate studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, where he earned doctorates in both canon law and philosophy. This dual expertise made him one of the most academically qualified church leaders in the American Catholic hierarchy and led to his appointment as an adjunct professor of canon law at Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas.
Education
Fellhauer pursued advanced postgraduate studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, where he earned doctorates in both canon law and philosophy. This dual expertise made him one of the most academically qualified church leaders in the American Catholic hierarchy and led to his appointment as an adjunct professor of canon law at Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas.
Career Achievement
From 1979 to 1990, Fellhauer served as Judicial Vicar (Officialis) for the Diocese of Dallas, the chief judge of the diocesan tribunal responsible for handling marriage annulment cases and other canonical proceedings. He had previously served as Assistant Judicial Vicar from 1975, building extensive expertise in church law administration.
Career Achievement
From 1979 to 1990, Fellhauer served as Judicial Vicar (Officialis) for the Diocese of Dallas, the chief judge of the diocesan tribunal responsible for handling marriage annulment cases and other canonical proceedings. He had previously served as Assistant Judicial Vicar from 1975, building extensive expertise in church law administration.
Career Achievement
On April 19, 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed David Fellhauer as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria in Texas. He was ordained and installed as bishop on May 28, 1990, at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral, beginning a quarter-century of episcopal leadership over the diocese's Catholic faithful in the Texas Coastal Bend region.
Career Achievement
On April 19, 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed David Fellhauer as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria in Texas. He was ordained and installed as bishop on May 28, 1990, at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral, beginning a quarter-century of episcopal leadership over the diocese's Catholic faithful in the Texas Coastal Bend region.
Won Award
In 1998, Fellhauer received the prestigious Role of Law Award from the Canon Law Society of America, recognizing his distinguished service to canon law and church governance. The award honored his decades of work as a canonist, including his tenure as Judicial Vicar in Dallas and his service on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee for Canonical Affairs.
Won Award
In 1998, Fellhauer received the prestigious Role of Law Award from the Canon Law Society of America, recognizing his distinguished service to canon law and church governance. The award honored his decades of work as a canonist, including his tenure as Judicial Vicar in Dallas and his service on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee for Canonical Affairs.
Career Achievement
On April 23, 2015, Pope Francis accepted Bishop Fellhauer's resignation after 25 years of leading the Diocese of Victoria. During his quarter-century as bishop, he had overseen the spiritual lives of Catholics across the Texas Coastal Bend, navigated significant challenges facing the American Catholic Church, and earned respect as a humble and faithful leader.
Career Achievement
On April 23, 2015, Pope Francis accepted Bishop Fellhauer's resignation after 25 years of leading the Diocese of Victoria. During his quarter-century as bishop, he had overseen the spiritual lives of Catholics across the Texas Coastal Bend, navigated significant challenges facing the American Catholic Church, and earned respect as a humble and faithful leader.
David Fellhauer passed away