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Bishop Fabre named Archbishop of Louisville, KY
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Story by Janet Marcel
Bishop Shelton Joseph Fabre has been named as the 10th Bishop and fifth Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky. The official announcement of his appointment was made by Pope Francis Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022.
The pope accepted the resignation of Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, who turned 75 on Aug. 18, 2021. As required by canon law, a bishop must turn in his resignation to the pope when he reaches the age of 75. Archbishop Kurtz has led the Archdiocese of Louisville since 2007.
A press conference was held in Louisville, Kentucky, where Archbishop Kurtz introduced Archbishop Fabre to the public. Diocesan staff gathered at the Pastoral Center in Schriever to watch this press conference together.
Archbishop Kurtz told those present and watching via livestream on social media that he had the opportunity to meet Archbishop Fabre about a month before he was ordained a bishop at a bishop’s retreat in Louisiana. “We’re getting someone who is a deeply human person, a very healthy person, a holy man and in a special way a good pastoral bishop,” said Archbishop Kurtz. “So we are really blessed. Soon he will be singing along with us ‘My Old Kentucky Home.’ However, he will also bring some Cajun flavor to his new Kentucky home.”
In his address at the press conference, Archbishop Fabre expressed his gratitude and personal support to Pope Francis, who called him to continue his pastoral ministry in Louisville.
“I am both humbled and excited by this appointment by the Holy Father and I pledge to serve the needs of this local church to the very best of my ability,” said the archbishop. “In all that we do, my brothers and sisters, it is the Lord Jesus Christ that we praise and serve, as together we grow in faith.”
Archbishop Fabre thanked Archbishop Kurtz for his faithful leadership and for the many ways he has shepherded the church in Louisville and expressed his appreciation for the camaraderie they have shared as brother bishops in the fifth ecclesiastical region of the church in the United States.
He addressed the faithful of the archdiocese saying, “My brothers and sisters, I anticipate meeting you and experiencing the cultures of the people of God in this wonderful archdiocese. I look forward to getting to know you and most importantly listening to your hearts … I also want to greet in a very special way the priests, deacons, consecrated religious and seminarians of the archdiocese. We are on a mission to make missionary disciples … and I look forward to sharing this mission that has been entrusted to us by Jesus Christ as we work together to serve the
MARNIE MCALLISTER/THE RECORD Newly appointed Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre sits next to Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, whom he succeeds as Archbishop of Louisville, KY, at a press conference Feb. 8.
people of God.”
Turning his attention to the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Archbishop Fabre began by saying, “I also want to take this opportunity to thank the good people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. To all the priests, deacons … .”
At this point, Archbishop Fabre paused as he became very emotional, apologizing as his voice broke and he began to tear up. He continued through his tears and remained very emotional as he spoke to the people of Houma-Thibodaux. “ … To all the priests, deacons, consecrated religious, seminarians and all the people of Houma-Thibodaux, I express my deep, deep gratitude for our life together in South Louisiana, which has been my home for eight and one half years. I have been incredibly happy and fulfilled as the Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, and I express gratitude to you for the love, support and kindness you have shown me during my time with you. I pray that God, in his mercy, will continue to bless the good people of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux.”
Later in his address, Archbishop Fabre said, “While the presbyterate and the people of Houma-Thibodaux will always be in my heart, I pledge to serve the Archdiocese of Louisville with the same fervor and commitment. I look forward to making the Archdiocese of Louisville my new home and I rejoice in the opportunity to become a part of this local church and this unique area of our slice of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Therefore, I am no longer in the ‘WhoDat’ Nation of the New Orleans Saints, for I know well this is Cardinal and Wildcat country, where a
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Bishop Fabre Louisville, KY Cont. from pg 7
basketball is king. The Lord has led me from the bayous to the bluegrass, from gumbo and jambalaya to barbeque and the Hot Brown. I leave the coast of the Cajun community to walk with you in the foothills of the heartland. And I do so knowing that my love for Mardi Gras and king cake will soon be quenched by Mint Juleps and the Kentucky Derby.”
During the press conference, Archbishop Fabre answered questions from the local media.
Later the same day, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux held a press conference at the Pastoral Center in Schriever for the local media, which was facilitated by Lonnie Thibodeaux, diocesan director of the Office of Communications. HTV televised the press conference and it was livestreamed on the diocesan website by the diocesan Office of Communications and on social media by the Houma Times.
Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G., pastor of St. Bridget Church in Schriever and vicar general for administration, began by saying that it was a joyous day for Houma-Thibodaux because the Holy Father Pope Francis recognized “our bishop” with a special appointment as an archbishop. “I think it is a recognition of the tremendous work that he has done in our midst.” Father Engurait prayed a special prayer of thanksgiving and then read a statement from Bishop Fabre regarding his appointment to the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Very Rev. Eric Leyble, J.V., J.C.L., pastor of St. Genevieve Church in Thibodaux and judicial vicar, explained the process to be followed for the election of a diocesan administrator during a sede vacante, which means “the state of an episcopal see while without a bishop.” This diocesan administrator will lead the diocese until a new bishop is chosen. (See page 10 for the full explanation.)
Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, J.C.L., pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma and diocesan chancellor, explained the process of appointing a new bishop and that this process is a time-consuming one that often takes eight or more months to complete. (See page 12 for the full explanation.)
During the press conference, diocesan leaders and members of clergy answered various questions from the local media.
Archbishop Fabre was born Oct. 25, 1963, in New Roads, LA, the fifth of six children to the late Luke and Theresa Fabre. He graduated as valedictorian from Catholic High School of Pointe Coupée in New Roads, LA, in 1981; received a BA in history from St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA, in 1985; a bachelor of arts degree (1987) and a master’s degree (1989) in religious studies from the Katholiek Universiteit te Leuven in Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained a priest Saturday, Aug. 5, 1989, by Bishop Stanley J. Ott at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. He
MARNIE MCALLISTER/THE RECORD Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre wiped away tears as he spoke to members of the media Feb. 8 at the Archdiocese of Louisville Pastoral Center about his appointment as the fifth Archbishop of Louisville. He wept as he expressed gratitude for the life he shared with the people in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
was ordained Titular Bishop of Pudenziana and Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans, at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans in February 2007, and installed as the Fourth Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux in October 2013. He currently serves on the board of Catholic Relief Services and as the chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.
As the Archbishop of Louisville, he will shepherd about 156,000 Catholics in 24 counties of central Kentucky, from the Ohio River to the Tennessee border. The archdiocese, which dates to 1808, has 110 parishes that cover 8,124 miles. About 20,000 students are served by 48 schools from kindergarten to high school.
Archbishop Fabre will remain as diocesan administrator of Houma-Thibodaux until his installation as Archbishop of Louisville on March 30, at 2 p.m., at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville. BC
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The announcement locally ...
Diocesan staff, press hear the news ...
Staff of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux gather at the Pastoral Center in Schriever for the announcement of Bishop Shelton J. Fabre being appointed to the Archdiocese of Louisville, KY. Later the same day, a press conference was held at the Center where local press gathered to hear the announcement of Bishop Fabre’s appointment, as well as to learn about the process of choosing a diocesan administrator and a new bishop. Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier
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By VERY REV. ERIC LEYBLE, J.C.L., J.V.
Preliminary Considerations
When a diocese becomes vacant, it needs someone to continue the work of its bishop until the future bishop is named. Thus, the church gives a diocesan administrator almost all the authority that the departed bishop had. According to canon law, the diocesan administrator, who is outstanding in doctrine and prudence, “is bound by the obligations and enjoys the power of a diocesan bishop, excluding those matters which are excepted by the nature of things or by the law itself” (canon 427).
The diocesan administrator is normally elected by the College of Consultors. The College is composed of members who are selected from the Priests’ Council and in a number not less than six nor more than 12, to which belongs the functions determined by law. The College of Consultors, in a sense, takes the place of the Priests’ Council during the vacant see and assists and advises the administrator in the governance of the diocese. At some instances their consent is required before the administrator can make a decision. In the same vein also, the consent of the College is also required by a diocesan bishop before he makes a decision or takes action concerning the diocese.
The Catalyst for the Election
When Bishop Fabre’s nomination to be the next Archbishop of Louisville became official, this begins his preparation and transition. In the meantime, he remains as diocesan administrator and enjoys the power and authority of this office. The diocese also does not become vacant until Bishop Fabre takes canonical possession of the Archdiocese of Louisville on March 30, 2022. As soon as Bishop Fabre has taken possession, the College of Consultors will need to elect a diocesan administrator, unless
LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC Very Rev. Eric Leyble, J.C.L., J.V., explains the process of choosing a diocesan administrator during a press conference at the Pastoral Center in Schriever, where it was announced that Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was appointed Archbishop of Louisville, KY.
the Holy See has given the diocese an apostolic administrator.
The Steps in Electing a Diocesan Administrator
1. The College of Consultors learns that the diocese becomes vacant on March 30, 2022. 2. The priest who is senior in ordination in the College of Consultors convokes and presides during these meetings (cf. canon 502, §2). He informs them when and where the College will meet to elect the diocesan administrator. 3. On the day of the meeting, the consultors gather. A simple majority (at least half) of those eligible to vote must be present for the a
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LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC Priests of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux gathered at the Pastoral Center in Schriever after learning that Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was appointed Archbishop of Louisville, KY. Very Rev. Eric Leyble, J.C.L., J.V., addressed the group.
election. Otherwise, the one who convoked the first meeting must set another meeting for the election and convoke all the consultors again, notifying them of the new time and place. 4. The senior consultor, the priest who is senior in ordination, chairs the meeting. 5. The consultors will select someone to be a notary. They will also select at least two consultors to serve as tellers, that is, those who collect and count the votes. 6. All consultors may nominate candidates for consideration as diocesan administrator. 7. Candidates must be priests or bishops who have completed 35 years of age; they must be outstanding in doctrine and prudence. Priest candidates may be from the local presbytery or from somewhere else. Bishop candidates may be the bishop emeritus or a diocesan bishop from another diocese. 8. When the nomination and discussion is completed, the consultors vote. 9. Voting must occur by secret ballot. 10. If one candidate receives at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast, including abstentions as votes, that candidate is elected diocesan administrator. 11. If no one receives two-thirds of the votes cast, there can be more discussion and more nominations. Then there is another secret ballot like the first. n After there have been two ballots with no one elected, then the College of Consultors holds a third ballot in which the consultors may vote only for one of two candidates. The two candidates eligible for election are the two candidates who received the most votes in the second ballot. In the third ballot, if one candidate receives more votes than the other, then that candidate is elected diocesan administrator. If there is a tie, then the law gives the election to the candidate older by age. 12. Once someone has been elected, the chairman notifies the elected person. If he accepts, he immediately becomes diocesan administrator. He does not need confirmation by anyone. The new diocesan administrator then makes a profession of faith in the presence of the College of Consultors and notifies the apostolic nuncio of his election. n If the elected person refuses to accept the office of diocesan administrator, then the College of Consultors must repeat the process for the election before the eight days described in canon 421 have passed. 13. If the College of Consultors does not elect a diocesan administrator within eight days of learning that the diocese is sede vacante, then the College of Consultors loses its right to elect the diocesan administrator. n Instead, the archbishop of the vacant diocese’ province, chooses the diocesan administrator. For this diocese, the Archbishop of New Orleans would make this choice. (Very Rev. Eric Leyble, J.C.L., J.V., is the judicial vicar for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and pastor of St. Genevieve Church in Thibodaux.) BC
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LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G, addresses the diocesan staff at the Pastoral Center in Schriever during a staff meeting there. Very Rev. Engurait read a statement from Bishop Shelton J. Fabre on his appointment to the Archdiocese of Louisville, KY.
The process of appointing a new bishop to a diocese
By VERY REV. JAY L. BAKER, J.C.L.
The pope is the one who is responsible for appointing a bishop to a diocese. This can be a time-consuming process, often taking eight months or more to complete. This process takes place in multiple stages.
Each year, every bishop may submit to the archbishop of his province the names of priests that he thinks would serve well as bishops. Following a discussion among the bishops at their annual provincial meeting, a vote is taken on which names would be formally recommended. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux belongs to the Province of New Orleans and consists of the bishops of the State of Louisiana. This vote is forwarded to the apostolic nuncio in Washington, D.C. The nuncio is the papal representative to the United States. He is responsible for overseeing the final list of names that is forwarded to Rome. He gathers facts and information about potential candidates and interprets that information for the Vatican.
When a diocese is in need of a bishop, a report is requested from the current bishop or administrator on the conditions and needs of the diocese. Previous bishops may also be consulted, as well as other bishops of the province and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) officials.
Taking all of this information, the nuncio narrows his list of possible candidates, and a questionnaire is sent to 20-30 people who know each of the candidates for their input. Three candidates are then listed alphabetically with the nuncio’s preference noted, and these materials are forwarded to the Congregation for Bishops in Rome.
Once the prefect of the Congregation approves the documentation, a “cardinal relator” is chosen to make a report to the Congregation to discuss possible appointments and take a vote.
In an audience with the pope, the prefect presents the recommendations of the Congregation to the Holy Father. A few days later, the pope informs the Congregation of his decision. The Congregation then notifies the nuncio, who in turn contacts the chosen candidate and asks if he will accept.
If the answer is “yes,” the Vatican is notified, and a date is set for the announcement. Again, it often takes eight months or longer from the time a diocese becomes vacant until a new bishop is appointed. (Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, J.C.L., is the chancellor for the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux and pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.) BC
