Bishop David Fellhauer, Former Leader of Victoria Diocese, Dies

Published 4:30 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Bishop Emeritus David Fellhauer. (COURTESY PHOTO)

David Fellhauer, the longtime leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria known for his pastoral leadership died Tuesday evening, church officials announced.

Fellhauer was born Aug. 19, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Harold E. and Helen R. Francis Fellhauer. He attended St. Agnes School in Kansas City, Kansas, and completed his high school, college and seminary training at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio. He later pursued postgraduate studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, earning doctorates in canon law and philosophy.

He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dallas on May 29, 1965. During his priestly ministry, Fellhauer served in parishes across the Dallas area and worked in the diocesan Chancery Office. He also taught as an adjunct professor of canon law at Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas.

From 1975 to 1979, he served as assistant judicial vicar for the Dallas Diocese and later as judicial vicar from 1979 to 1990.

On April 19, 1990, Fellhauer was appointed the second bishop of the Diocese of Victoria by Pope John Paul II. He was ordained and installed as bishop May 28, 1990, at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral.

As bishop, Fellhauer served nearly 25 years before his retirement was accepted April 23, 2015, by Pope Francis. He was succeeded by Brendan J. Cahill, the third bishop of the diocese. Fellhauer’s predecessor, Charles Grahmann, had left Victoria after being appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Dallas.

Church officials often described Fellhauer as a “doctor of the law,” reflecting his deep knowledge of canon law and his commitment to the responsibilities of episcopal leadership as teacher of doctrine, priest of sacred worship and minister of church governance. He served on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Canonical Affairs and Church Governance and received the 1998 Role of Law Award from the Canon Law Society of America.

When appointed a bishop, Fellhauer chose the motto “To witness the charity of Christ,” drawn from Canon 383 §4, which appeared on his coat of arms. Clergy members said the motto reflected a leadership style marked by service, humility and prayer, as well as availability and encouragement.

Even as his health declined in recent years, Fellhauer continued to encourage prayers for the people of the Victoria Diocese. Fellow priests recalled that in times of challenge he reminded them that the needs of the church should come before personal preferences.

Fellhauer moved to Victoria at age 50 and became a fatherly and grandfatherly figure to many in the faith community. In his final months, amid ongoing health challenges, he chose to enter hospice care at Hospice of South Texas – Dornburg Center of Compassion, where members of the diocesan community kept vigil and offered prayers.

Church leaders said Fellhauer’s legacy includes decades of spiritual guidance and steadfast leadership in the Crossroads region.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the diocesan Office of Communications.