Bishop-elect Msgr. Michael G. Duca at the Media Conference
in Shreveport, Louisiana - April 1, 2008

(Photo Courtesy: Diocese of Shreveport, Jessica Rinaudo, Publications Editor.)

Bishop-elect Msgr. Michael G. Duca, HTS Rector, at the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Shreveport, this morning for the Press Conference, gathered with members of the clergy to reveal the appointment by Benedict XVI.

When asked to describe the events this morning and tell us about the diocese, Christine Riverss, Chancellor for the Diocese of Shreveport, said,

"We were so very pleased and excited this morning to receive our Bishop-elect.  Monsignor Duca has been busy already with the press conference at 10 a.m. and noon Mass in the St. Michael Chapel at the Cathedral."

"We have about 40,000 Catholics in an area that covers the top part of the state of Louisiana, from Texas border to Mississippi border, some 112,000 square miles. We are a mission diocese, one of the ten smallest in the U.S. in terms of Catholic population.  North Louisiana is Bible Belt country with most people belonging to the Baptist or Evangelical denominations.  We are about 5 percent Catholic with a growing Hispanic presence although less than East Texas. We have 27 parishes and 14 missions."

For additional information about the Diocese of Shreveport, please view their website at:  http://www.dioshpt.org

(at left)
Bishop-elect Duca celebrates Mass at St. John Berchmans Chapel in Shreveport, Louisiana, with Fr. Peter Mangum, Pastor at St. Berchmans Cathedral, and Msgr. Earl Provenza, Diocesan Administrator.

To see additional photos from today's events in Shreveport, please click on this link for the photo gallery from the Diocese of Shreveport:

 PHOTO GALLERY

Many friends have called the seminary all day long to leave their congratulatory messages for Bishop-elect Duca.

One long-time friend and Judicial Vicar, Rev. Msgr. John Bell, said, "I'm thrilled for him. I'm thrilled for Shreveport. I think he's going to bring the same skill set there as he brought as Rector of the seminary, as Vocations Director for the diocese, and at parishes throughout our diocese!"

Page Updated: 29 Apr 2008