Father Shelton Fabre: From Associate Pastor At St. Alphonsus to Archbishop of Louisville

New Roads native Archbishop-elect Shelton J. Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has been appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky. 

Archbishop Fabre’s first pastoral assignment was at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church in Central, where he served from 1989 to 1992.  The father is remembered for his loving concern for the parishioners at St. Alphonsus and the Central community.

Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, 75, from pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Louisville and appointed  Archbishop Fabre as his successor Feb. 8.  Archbishop Fabre’s installation date is scheduled March 30.

Bishop Michael G. Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge said in a statement. “Congratulations to (Arch)bishop Shelton Fabre on his appointment as archbishop of Louisville! Bishop-Emeritus Robert Muench and I extend to him our personal best wishes along with those of his countless friends and former parishioners in his native Diocese of Baton Rouge. They all join us in praying that the Holy Spirit will be at his side as he assumes his new role, and be assured as well that our prayers will continue for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as it awaits the appointment of its new shepherd.”  

“I can think of no one more qualified spiritually to lead and inspire others,” Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Baton Rouge Father Paul Counce said. “He already is a great shepherd to his flock in Houma-Thibodaux, who will miss him terribly. He will continue to be one in Kentucky.”  

Archbishop Fabre held an emotional press conference on the morning of Feb. 8 in Louisville. At noon the same day, Houma Father Simon Engura, vicar general for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, read a statement from the archbishop, who said he was surprised by the appointment and imagined “It is a surprise to many of you!”  

“However, I want to take this opportunity to pledge my support and gratitude to Pope Francis. I am humbled by this appointment.”  

Archbishop Fabre expressed his thanks to all of the “good people” of Houma-Thibodaux and his “deep, deep gratitude for our lives together in south Louisiana, which has been my home for the past eight-and-a-half years.”  

“I have been incredibly happy and fulfilled as the bishop of Houma-Thibodaux,” the archbishop said. “I love the people because Houma-Thibodaux has become my home and you have become my family. I am grateful for the love and kindness (shown by the people of the diocese.) I pray that our providential God will continue to bless the people of Houma-Thibodaux.”  

“While the presbyterate and people of Houma-Thibodaux will always be in my heart, I pledge to serve the Diocese of Louisville with the same fervor and commitment.”  

Father Jamin David, Vicar General for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, said Archbishop Fabre’s wisdom, sensitivity, patience and generosity are all tremendous virtues that the Archdiocese of Louisville will come to love and appreciate.  

“I cannot think of a more compassionate and comforting person to shepherd God’s people,” Father David said.  

He also pointed out a personal connection with Archbishop Fabre. Archbishop Fabre’s father Luke was the bricklayer for Father David’s grandfather, who was a homebuilder. Also, Father David’s grandfather built a desk and shipped it to Louvain, Belgium, where Archbishop Fabre was studying theology.  

As a seminarian Father David served under Archbishop Fabre while at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge. 

  “It is amazing to me how small our world and relationships are really,” Father David said. “We have been connected in canonical work that I have done for him as bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, and when he offered presentations and missions at St. Margaret (Queen of Scotland Church in Albany, where Father David is pastor), and in our collaborative ‘team ministry to the people of Houma-Thibodaux after Hurricane Ida.    

“His humanity and deep spirituality are all evident in every project he undertakes,  big or small.  Archbishop Fabre truly is an ‘alter Christus,’–  another Christ – for those he serves.  

“As if I needed another excuse to travel, I now have a second reason to go to Louisville outside of bourbon tasting or the (Kentucky) Derby  to visit a friend who (will) provide terrific leadership for our friends in Kentucky.”   

Archbishop Fabre was raised in St. Augustine Church Parish in New Roads and said he has always been a “very quiet person.” He lived with his parents and five siblings a mile from the church where he served as an altar server.  

After graduating valedictorian from Catholic of Pointe Coupee High School in New Roads, Archbishop Fabre enrolled at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict. During his years at St. Ben’s, he became friends with Father Counce, who had attended The American College Catholic University at Louvain in Belgium and encouraged the future archbishop to do the same. Years later, Archbishop Fabre would say that decision helped form him into the priest he is today.   

Archbishop Fabre, who was born Oct. 25, 1963, in New Roads, was ordained Aug. 5, 1989, by Bishop Stanley J. Ott at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge.   

He served as parochial vicar at several parishes in the diocese and as pastor at St. Joseph Church in Grosse Tete and Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Maringouin.   

From 1999-2005 he served as director of the Office of Black Catholics and from 2003-2007 was chairman of the Pastoral Planning Committee.  

He also helped author “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ letter on racism.  

Archbishop Fabre was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans by Pope Benedict XVI on Dec. 13, 2006 and ordained by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on Feb. 28, 2007.  

He was appointed bishop of Houma-Thibodaux Sept. 23, 2013 and installed Oct. 30, 2013 at St. Francis de Sales in Houma.