(1965 - 1983)

At the death of Bishop Garriga, the Diocese of Corpus Christi was divided, creating with the four counties of the Valley, the new Diocese of Brownsville. Bishop Adolph Marx was assigned as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville, with Bishop Thomas J. Drury succeeding Bishop Garriga as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese. The beginning of his administration was during and after the Second Vatican Council. These were difficult years throughout the Church as the implementation of the Council had its own stresses. He began a Diocesan Pastoral Council composed of laity, religious and priests to advise him on the needs of the Diocese and expanded the ministry and outreach of the Diocese from two to 32 departments. He established a diocesan newspaper and authorized the beginning work toward acquiring a license for a diocesan radio station. It was during his administration the Diocese entered into a settlement agreement in the Kenedy litigation. The Permanent Diaconate was also begun. Villa Maria Apartments for the elderly was constructed and the abandoned Abbey on Upriver Road was renovated for a Diocesan Pastoral Center.