David Toups

David Leon Toups (born 26 March 1971) is an American Catholic prelate serving as the Bishop of Beaumont in Texas since 2020. He was previously rector of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida from 2012 to 2020.

Biography

Early life David Leon Toups was born on March 26, 1971, in Seattle, Washington. He first attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. However, after deciding to become a priest, he entered St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, Florida. Toups graduated from St. John in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in degree in philosophy and theology.

Toups then traveled to Rome to enter the Pontifical North American College. He ultimately obtained a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

After his 1997 ordination, the diocese assigned Toups as parochial vicar at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Spring Hill, Florida and as a member of the presbyteral council from 1997 to 2001. He also served as a board member of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils. as assistant dean of students. Toups was named dean of students later in 2004. During this period, he was also a member of the administrative council, the faculty council, and the seminary formation team. That position ended in 2010 when the Diocese of St. Petersburg named him as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Tampa, Florida. Toups was moved from that position in 2012 to return to St. Vincent de Paul as rector and president. Toups chose as his episcopal motto Romans 8:28, based on his predecessor's motto and his mother's favorite quote, “For those who love God, all things work together for good.”