Background
Kurtz, Joseph Edward was born on August 18, 1946 in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of George and Stella (Zmijewski) Kurtz.
Kurtz, Joseph Edward was born on August 18, 1946 in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of George and Stella (Zmijewski) Kurtz.
Bachelor, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, 1968. Master of Divinity, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, 1972. Master of Social Work, Marywood School Social Work, 1976.
Ordained priest Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1972, assistant director vocations, 1973—1976, diocesan director Catholic charities, 1988—1998, diocesan coordinator health affairs, 1994—1998. Assistant professor Allentown Central Catholic High School, Pennsylvania, 1972. Assistant pastor St. Joseph Parish, Limeport, 1972, Steamship.
Simon & Jude Parish, Bethlehem, 1972—1973. Professor, counselor St. Pius X Seminary, Diocese of Scranton, 1973—1976. Assistant director Catholic Social Agency, 1976—1984.
Executive director Social Action Bureau, Diocese of Allentown, 1977—1991. Instructor DeSales University (formerly Allentown College of St. Francis DeSales), Center Valley, Pennsylvania, 1978. Instructor marriage and family therapy Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, 1978—1982.
Executive director Catholic Social Agency and Family Life Bureau, 1984—1994. Pastor St. Mary Parish, Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, 1988—1996, Notre Dame of Bethlehem Parish, 1996—1999. Ordained bishop, 1999.
Bishop Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee, 1999—2007. Archbishop Archdiocese of Louisville, since 2007. Vice president board directors Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1985—1999.
Board directors Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1988—1999. Personal representative of bishop Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, 1992—1998. Member United States Conference Catholic Bishops, Conception Seminary Board Regents, Missouri, since 2001, North America College Board Governors, since 2004.
Board member Catholic Relief Services, since 2006.
Member of Association Christian Denom. Leaders, Catholic Social Workers National Association (honorary. Episcopal advisor since 2007).