LA Priests Convention

Bishop Deshotel joined fellow Louisiana Bishops and priests from throughout our Diocese at the Louisiana Priests Convention this week in New Orleans. Every four years, priests from across Louisiana gather in New Orleans for the three-day convocation. Almost 400 priests from throughout the state's seven Catholic dioceses attended. The theme of the gathering was “A Sacred Calling,” and included three major addresses on topics related to that theme. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States, spoke on “The Bishop and Priest as Coworkers.” Bishop David Toups of Beaumont, Texas discussed Jesus’ command to St. Peter to “Shepherd My Sheep” and Bishop William Wack of Pensacola, Florida, who serves on the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People spoke on the topic of “Vibrant Ministry for God’s Flock."  Priests also attended breakout sessions on pastoral approaches to pornography and addiction, ministering to the spiritually afflicted and welcoming the stranger.