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Very Rev. P.J. Madden named diocesan administrator
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Story by JANET MARCEL
On Friday, April 1, 2022, two days after Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre was installed in the Archdiocese of Louisville, KY, the diocesan College of Consultors elected Very Rev. Patrick John (P.J.) Madden as the new diocesan administrator.
The Very Rev. Madden, a 76-yearold native of Ballinasloe, Ireland, was ordained to the priesthood May 14, 2004. He served as associate pastor at Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose and St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma; and as pastor at St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux and St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews.
The Very Rev. Madden assumed the position immediately and will serve the diocese as its leader until Pope Francis appoints a new bishop and that bishop has taken possession of the diocese (Canon 430 §1).
As diocesan administrator, the Very Rev. Madden essentially has the same authority as a diocesan bishop, except for matters which would have longterm consequences.
According to canon law, the diocesan administrator, “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).
As priest who is senior in ordination in the College of Consultors, Father Charles (Charlie) Perkins assumed responsibility for convoking and presiding over the meeting (cf. Canon 502, §2).
Of the selection, Father Perkins says, “Father P.J. is a much loved, veteran priest of our diocese who has great respect from his brother priests. The College of Consultors is confident that he will successfully fulfill the responsibilities as diocesan administrator as he serves the people. We also feel that Father P.J. is an excellent choice because he will move us forward until our next bishop is formally installed. We pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide him in this new position. We also acknowledge the wonderful leadership of Archbishop Fabre during his time here, and we wish him the best as the new shepherd of Louisville.”
After receiving news of the Very Rev. Madden’s election, Archbishop Fabre had this to say, “My sincere congratulations and best wishes to my brother priest Father P.J. after his selection today as diocesan administrator. I rejoiced when I learned of this news from Houma-Thibodaux! I have the utmost confidence that Father P.J. will serve the needs of HoumaThibodaux well in the near future until the diocese learns of the Holy See’s choice of my successor.”
About his election as diocesan administrator, the Very Rev. Madden says, “Please allow me to begin by expressing my gratitude to the diocesan College of Consultors who elected me as diocesan administrator. I am both humbled and excited by this opportunity, and I pledge to serve the needs of this wonderful diocese to the very best of my ability. With heartfelt sincerity, I promise to love and serve the faithful of this diocese in the pastoral spirit as did our beloved now Archbishop Fabre. As a priest of this diocese, I remain aware of the great suffering many still endure because of the devastation of Hurricane Ida. As Archbishop Fabre said often: ‘In God we place our hope and our trust, and we are confident that God will never leave us to endure anything alone.’ I look forward to this journey to the Lord with all of you. Just as Archbishop Fabre needed you, so too do I need all of us - priests, deacons, religious and laity - to work together! Peace be with you all and thank you!” BC
LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC Very Rev. P.J. Madden addresses diocesan staff at the Pastoral Center in Schriever.
