Joseph Martin Sartoris (July 1, 1927 – June 27, 2025) was an American Catholic prelate who served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California from 1994 to 2002.[1]
Biography
Early life
Sartoris was born in Los Angeles, California on July 1, 1927.[2] He studied at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, California.
Priesthood
On May 30, 1953, Sartoris was ordained into the priesthood by Cardinal James McIntyre for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.[2] After his ordination, Sartoris was assigned as an associate pastor to several parishes. He then served as a teacher and assistant principal at Bishop Conaty High School in Los Angeles for several years. Sartoris then returned to parish ministry while also serving as administrator pro tempore at Dolores Mission parish and administrator at Nativity Parish, both in Los Angeles.[3][4]
Sartoris' first assignment as pastor was at St. Madeleine Parish in Pomona, California. In 1978, he was named pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Lomita, California. He remained at St. Margaret as pastor until his appointment as auxiliary bishop for the San Pedro Region in 1994.[3][5]
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
On February 8, 1994, Pope John Paul II appointed Sartoris as the titular bishop of Oliva and as an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles.[5] He was consecrated a bishop by Cardinal Roger Mahony on March 19,1994 (the Feast of Saint Joseph) at the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana in Los Angeles.[6] Sartoris led the archdiocese's San Pedro Pastoral Region from 1994 to 2002.[3] On December 31, 2002, John Paul II accepted Sartoris' letter of resignation as he had reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.[6][2]
Death
Sartoris died June 27, 2025, at the age of 97.[7]
Episcopal succession
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byCarl A. Fisher | Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles 1994–2002 | Succeeded byMarc V. Trudeau |
| Preceded byFrank Marcus Fernando | Titular Bishop of Olivia 1994–2025 | Succeeded byVacant |
References
- 1."Reverend Joseph M. Sartoris, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles Resigns". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- 2.[2.2][2.3]"Bishop Joseph Martin Sartoris [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- 3.[3.2][3.3]"Auxiliary Bishops | LA Catholics". lacatholics.org. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- 4."Auxiliary Bishops | LA Catholics". lacatholics.org. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- 5.[5.2]"Bishop Joseph Sartoris | Cardinal's Awards Dinner". www.cardinalsawardsdinner.org. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- 6.[6.2]Cheney, David M. "Bishop Joseph Martin Sartoris [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- 7."Bishop Joseph Martin Sartoris". Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved June 30, 2025.