Diocesan History Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge

st. joseph cathedral

the christian history of diocese of baton rouge began work of french missionaries among native american peoples of area. in particular, french jesuits , capuchin franciscans responsible preaching of gospel along mississippi river during first half of 18th century: recorded père pierre charlevoix, s.j., celebrated first eucharist in baton rouge on new year s day, 1722, on present site of louisiana state capitol building. permanent settlements established in louisiana colony, churches erected. first permanent church in region st. francis chapel of pointe coupée, built in 1738. parishes established @ st. james in 1767, @ st. gabriel in 1769, @ donaldsonville in 1772, @ baton rouge in 1792, , @ plattenville in 1793.

in 1793, diocese of new orleans established, acute shortage of clergy remained problem many, many years. settlement of baton rouge fortunate in resident priest stationed @ our lady of sorrows (later st. joseph) parish of first century. many difficulties encountered during 1800s, including not universal problems of disease, civil war , reconstruction, violent ecclesiastical disputes on legal authority of parochial trustees. still, faith prospered , institutional church grew along it, catholic houses of worship , education established during time throughout area.

the first half of 20th century saw unprecedented growth: rise of city of baton rouge in industrial, political, , social importance meant large population increase. church in metropolitan area grew 1 parish in 1900 9 1950 , fifteen 1960. in larger, rural areas of diocese, parishes gradually developed mission chapels resident priests began available.

in bull peramplum novae aureliae issued july 22, 1961, pope john xxiii established diocese of baton rouge, separating territory of archdiocese of new orleans. pope named st. joseph church in see city, built in 1853-1855 , renovated many times since, new diocese s cathedral. census conducted in first year of diocese s operation revealed membership being 164,476 catholics (out of total of 464,904 people reported u.s. census bureau year).

the first bishop of baton rouge, robert e. tracy of new orleans, louisiana, energetically organized diocese in spirit of vatican council ii, of proud participant. church of baton rouge became model other dioceses in establishing post-conciliar administrative structure , consultative process pastoral growth continued unabated. younger-than-average presbyterate proved enormous asset in providing unified pastoral leadership local church in formative period. particular emphasis placed upon liturgical renewal , modern catechetical efforts during time.

in 1974, joseph v. sullivan of kansas city, missouri, became baton rouge s second bishop. concern catholic education , more traditional approach catholic doctrine , practice marked episcopal ministry in diocese. prominent advocate of pro-life movement, , restated opposition of church abortion, euthanasia, , related evils.

in 1983 1 of original priests of diocese, bishop stanley joseph ott, named third bishop of baton rouge. under leadership, local church devoted widespread effort @ evangelization , spiritual renewal. called laity of diocese, especially, take new initiatives renew faith , proclaim news of jesus christ world. comprehensive program urging financial, ministerial, , spiritual stewardship begun , church of baton rouge again became model other dioceses in north america. rite of christian initiation of adults put in place model evangelization , catechetics. ecumenical efforts significant, resulting in notable efforts @ interfaith sharing of prayer , limited ministry. in 1991, however, bishop ott diagnosed inoperable liver cancer. yet on next 18 months, gave eloquent witness gospel values manner of ministry, life, , dying. became source , focus of unity , grace catholics , non-catholics alike.

in november 1993 bishop alfred c. hughes of boston, massachusetts, installed baton rouge s fourth bishop. continued emphasize spiritual growth catholic people of diocese, active social justice programs , deeper doctrinal formation in accord catechism of catholic church. called courageously fidelity church , teachings in confronting secularism of modern world. re-organized diocesan programs of vocations-recruitment , began comprehensive process designed cope declining numbers of ordained ministers in local parishes. major capital fundraising campaign, designed achieve specific objectives , focus attention on need church face future confidence , faith, overwhelmingly successful. in february 2001 bishop hughes transferred new orleans coadjutor archbishop, becoming metropolitan archbishop there in january 2002.