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George Leo Thomas (born May 19, 1950) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas in Nevada since 2023. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Las Vegas from 2018 to its upgrade as archdiocese in 2023.
Thomas previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Helena in Montana from 2004 to 2018 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle in Washington State from 1999 to 2004.
George Thomas was born on May 19, 1950, in Anaconda, Montana, as the second of the five children of George and Mary (née Cronin) Thomas. Raised in Butte, Montana, he graduated from Butte Central Catholic High School in 1968. Thomas studied at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, obtaining his bachelor's degree in literature in 1972. Deciding to become a priest, Thomas then studied at St. Thomas Seminary in Bothell, Washington, earning his Master of Divinity degree there in 1976.
Thomas was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Seattle at St. James Cathedral in Seattle by Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen on May 22, 1976.[1] After his ordination, Thomas served as associate pastor at Holy Family Parish in Kirkland, Washington, and then at St. James Cathedral Parish.[2]
Thomas was then named as parish administrator at Sacred Heart Parish in Bellevue, Washington, and Holy Innocents Mission Church in Duvall, Washington[2] Thomas also performed chaplain work for the King County Correctional Facility, the Seattle City Jail, and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart center, all in Seattle. For 10 years, he served as chair of the board for Catholic Community Services in the archdiocese[2]
Thomas entered graduate school at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1981 and received a Master of Arts degree in counseling and community mental health in 1983. In 1986, he earned a Doctor of History degree, specializing in the mission history of the American Pacific Northwest.[2]
Thomas became chancellor and vicar general the archdiocese in 1987. He was named as apostolic administrator for the archdiocese following the death of Archbishop Thomas Murphy in 1997. He served as both chancellor and vicar general until 2004.
On November 19, 1999, Thomas was named as an auxiliary bishop of Seattle and as titular bishop of Vagrauta by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on January 28, 2000, at St. James Cathedral from Archbishop Alexander Brunett, with Bishops William S. Skylstad and Carlos Sevilla serving as co-consecrators.[1]
John Paul II named Thomas as the tenth bishop of Helena on March 23, 2004; he was installed on June 4, 2004.[1]
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On February 28, 2018, Thomas was appointed as bishop of Las Vegas by Pope Francis. He succeeded the retiring Bishop Joseph A. Pepe, and was installed on May 15, 2018.[2][1]
On May 30, 2023, Thomas was named by Francis as the first archbishop of the newly created Archdiocese of Las Vegas.[1]
In January 2022, Thomas wrote a column asking Catholic politicians who support abortion rights for women to not present themselves at mass for communion in his diocese.[3]
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