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Newest Appointments as of August 8, 2026After much prayer, Bishop Simon Peter is pleased to appoint the following priests to serve as Dean of each of our three deaneries. They will retain their previous parish and diocesan assignments in addition to their service as Dean.
- Very Rev. Rusty Bruce has been appointed Dean of the Upper Lafourche Deanery.
- Very Rev. Stephen Castille has been appointed Dean of the South Lafourche Deanery.
- Very Rev. Carlos Talavera has been appointed Dean of the Terrebonne Deanery.
According to the Code of Canon Law, the role of the dean is to promote and coordinate pastoral activity in the deanery, and to provide support, oversight, and collaboration among the clergy and parishes of the deanery. Please pray for these priests as they assume this new role. -
July 15, 2026 AppointmentsAfter prayerful discernment and consultation, Bishop Simon Peter Engurait is pleased to make the following appointments, effective July 15, 2026.
These appointments are made in addition to the current assignments of each priest.
DIOCESAN APPOINTMENTS
Very Rev. Vicente DeLa Cruz, MCL, JCL has been appointed Chancellor and Episcopal Vicar for Special Concerns. I am grateful to Fr Jay Baker for his previous service as Chancellor. The Chancellor is the chief archivist and notary of the Diocese, ensuring the safeguarding of curial acts. As Episcopal Vicar for Special Concerns, Fr Vic will attend to specific tasks at the direction of the Bishop.
Rev. Patrick Riviere has been appointed Vicar for Clergy, while remaining Director of the Office of the Priesthood. Fr. Patrick will be responsible for the support and ongoing formation of the priests of our diocese. I am grateful to Fr. Vic for his previous service as Vicar for Clergy.
Rev. Alex Gaudet has been appointed Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, overseeing the recruitment and formation of men discerning the Permanent Diaconate, as well as supporting those who currently serve our parishes as Deacons. I am grateful to Deacon Steve Brunet for his previous service in this capacity.
Very Rev. Andre Melancon, VG has been appointed Moderator of the Curia. In this role, he assists the Bishop and the CFO and Director of Administration in coordinating administrative affairs of the Diocese and ensures the proper functioning of the Diocesan Curia.
Rev. Matthew Prosperie has been appointed Director of Vocations and Chaplain of E. D. White Catholic High School. Rev. Mitch Semar remains Director of Seminarians and Director of the St. Joseph the Worker House of Formation. Fr Matthew will be responsible for accompaniment of men discerning a possible call to the priesthood through their application to become a seminarian. Once accepted, Fr Mitch will oversee their formation both in the propadeutic stage as well as in the seminary.
Very Rev. Melancon and Very Rev. Eric Leyble both retain their roles as Vicar General and Judicial Vicar, respectively.