From the Editor

I had the pleasure of covering Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre’s installation in Louisville, KY, recently for Bayou Catholic. The evening before the installation, Archbishop Fabre ceremoniously knocked on the door of the Cathedral of the Assumption where inside Archbishop Emeritus Joseph E. Kurtz welcomed him for admittance to his new diocesan seat.

After entering the cathedral, the newly appointed archbishop prayed solemn vespers. Archbishop Fabre’s homily had a familiar message and tone. He told the priests, deacons, religious and laity there that “the archdiocese is you, the good people … you and I. We are the Archdiocese of Louisville and, my friends, we are in this together. I need you, the Lord Jesus needs you and the church here needs you.”

Archbishop Fabre went on to say that “we are in this together,” a message that we in Houma-Thibodaux can relate to.

The next day nearly 3,000 people gathered for the Mass of Installation celebrated at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville. Among those present were many family members, friends, and those whom the archbishop came to know during his ministry as a priest in the Diocese of Baton Rouge; as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans; and as Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. There were also hundreds of clergy and religious who attended the installation from the above mentioned areas as well as the Archdiocese of Louisville and surrounding dioceses in the Ecclesiastical Province of Louisville.

It was a joyous celebration which began with a procession of the Knights of Peter Claver and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. Hundreds of priests followed in the procession leading to the bishops, archbishops and cardinals attending the Mass of Installation.

The papal nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, provided a light moment during the Mass of Installation when he remarked about the difficulties of pronouncing the cities where Archbishop Fabre has served, namely, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma-Thibodaux and now Louisville.

The spirit of the day was one of joy. Although those in attendance from Houma-Thibodaux wept from time to time realizing that this might be the last time with their former shepherd. There was a sense of pride and joy that the man many came to know and love as their bishop is now an archbishop who will be leading a much larger flock of faithful Catholics in central Kentucky.

Hundreds of well-wishers greeted Archbishop Fabre during the reception held in the convention center after the installation. Those new to him greeted him warmly, wished him well and welcomed him to his new home in Kentucky.

There were tears shed by many from Houma-Thibodaux as they said their goodbyes to their former bishop. Many posed for a photo with him before leaving the reception. Archbishop Fabre stood and greeted people for almost two hours during the reception.

The people of Kentucky are lucky to be receiving such a great leader. Archbishop Fabre will be leading the Catholic faithful at a time when unity and compassion is desperately needed. I am sure that he is up for the task of bringing Jesus to the people of central Kentucky and beyond.

His openness, character and compassion will certainly be a source of hope as he brings comfort to his people.

Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News.