Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport is a Roman Catholic diocese
located in northwestern Louisiana
, and a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. It is under the governance of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
and belongs to Conference Region V (which includes Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee). Its mother church
is the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans, in Shreveport.
The Diocese of Shreveport was canonically erected on June 16, 1986 when Pope John Paul II
split the former diocese of Alexandria–Shreveport into the Diocese of Alexandria and the Diocese of Shreveport. The territory of the diocese covers an area of 28825 square kilometres (11,129.4 sq mi). The area's total population in 2004 was 784,665, out of which 39,436 people are Catholic (5 percent of the total population). The diocese is served by 42 diocesan priests in 32 parishes. Currently there are two seminarians studying for the priesthood in the diocese.
, was appointed on April 1, 2008. He was consecrated on May 19 as the second bishop of the diocese. The Bishop Emeritus is William Benedict Friend
, who had retired from the post on December 20, 2006.
The past bishop
s of the diocese are:
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
located in northwestern Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, and a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. It is under the governance of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic...
and belongs to Conference Region V (which includes Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee). Its mother church
Mother Church
In Christianity, the term mother church or Mother Church may have one of the following meanings:# The first mission church in an area, or a pioneer cathedral# A basilica or cathedral# The main chapel of a province of a religious order...
is the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans, in Shreveport.
The Diocese of Shreveport was canonically erected on June 16, 1986 when Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
split the former diocese of Alexandria–Shreveport into the Diocese of Alexandria and the Diocese of Shreveport. The territory of the diocese covers an area of 28825 square kilometres (11,129.4 sq mi). The area's total population in 2004 was 784,665, out of which 39,436 people are Catholic (5 percent of the total population). The diocese is served by 42 diocesan priests in 32 parishes. Currently there are two seminarians studying for the priesthood in the diocese.
Bishops
The present bishop of Shreveport, Michael DucaMichael Duca
Michael Gerard Duca is the Bishop of Shreveport since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 1 April 2008.He attended elementary and secondary school in Dallas. He attended Holy Trinity Seminary 1970-78, and while there received a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master of divinity degree in...
, was appointed on April 1, 2008. He was consecrated on May 19 as the second bishop of the diocese. The Bishop Emeritus is William Benedict Friend
William Benedict Friend
William Benedict Friend is the retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport, in Louisiana, and its first bishop.He was ordained on 7 May 1959 as a priest of the Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham, Alabama...
, who had retired from the post on December 20, 2006.
The past bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of the diocese are:
- William Benedict FriendWilliam Benedict FriendWilliam Benedict Friend is the retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport, in Louisiana, and its first bishop.He was ordained on 7 May 1959 as a priest of the Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham, Alabama...
(June 16, 1986 – December 20, 2006) - Michael DucaMichael DucaMichael Gerard Duca is the Bishop of Shreveport since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 1 April 2008.He attended elementary and secondary school in Dallas. He attended Holy Trinity Seminary 1970-78, and while there received a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master of divinity degree in...
(May 19, 2008 – present)
High schools
- Loyola College PrepLoyola College PrepLoyola College Prep is a private Catholic coeducational high school in Shreveport, Louisiana operated by the Diocese of Shreveport .-History:...
, Shreveport - St. Frederick Catholic High SchoolSt. Frederick Catholic High School (Monroe, Louisiana)St. Frederick Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Monroe, Louisiana. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport.-Background:...
, Monroe