A statement from Bishop Fabre on his appointment to Louisville

On Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Noon in Rome, our Holy Father Pope Francis named me the fifth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville. This news of my appointment came as a surprise to me, as I imagine it is now a surprise for many of you. However, I want to take this opportunity to pledge my support and gratitude to Pope Francis who has called me to undertake the ministry of Archbishop of Louisville. I am humbled by this appointment; and as I have served you, the good people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, I pledge to serve the good people of Louisville.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. To all the priests, permanent deacons, consecrated religious, seminarians and all the people of Houma-Thibodaux, I express my deep, deep gratitude for our life together here in south Louisiana, which has been my home for the past eight-and-a-half years. I love the people of this diocese because Houma-Thibodaux has become my home and you have become my family. I have been incredibly happy and fulfilled as Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux. I am grateful for the love, support and kindness you have shown to me during my episcopal ministry in south Louisiana. I pray that our providential God will continue to bless the Church of Houma-Thibodaux.
 
As soon as I heard the news, my heart was flooded with emotions and with questions. I’m sure you have questions, such as, ‘who will be the next bishop in Houma-Thibodaux?’ At this moment, the answer to that question is unknown, as is the exact date when we will find out. Our diocesan officials will provide you details regarding the process, including how our College of Consultors will select the diocesan administrator who will lead the diocese until my successor is installed.  

When first ordained a bishop, I chose as my episcopal motto, “Comfort my people,” from the prophet Isaiah (40:1). These words are dear to my heart because they capture what I have always desired to do as a bishop, as a pastor of souls. I sincerely believe our Lord is communicating these words to his people right now. And as a shepherd, I have seen great suffering among God’s holy people. This past August, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and communities throughout south Louisiana were utterly devastated by Hurricane Ida, the most powerful storm of its kind to ever make landfall in Louisiana. I would be remiss if I did not remind our nation of the many challenges that remain as a result of Hurricane Ida.

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.

As you hear the news of my move to Louisville, I ask you to pray with me this prayer from St. Augustine, “As we prepare to depart from one another, let us not depart from the Lord.” At this point in the history of this wonderful diocese, let us trust in the Lord and again pledge to serve him by serving one another. God will never ask us to endure anything alone. As I celebrate my final weeks of ministry with you, I pledge my prayers for all of you as I ask your kind prayers for me.

May God’s peace be with you.

Most sincerely,