Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge - Present Bishop

Present Bishop

On December 15, 2001, the transfer of Bishop Robert William Muench of Covington, Kentucky, to the See of Baton Rouge was announced. Bishop Muench, who grew up in Louisiana and served for 28 years as a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, was installed on March 14, 2002, as the fifth bishop of Baton Rouge.

Since the day he was installed, Bishop Muench has paid special attention to the Church's ministry to young people. In addition to his presiding over the parish celebrations of the sacrament of confirmation whenever possible, he has appointed chaplains at all eight Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. He regularly visits each high school, spending the day in conversation - invariably with his infectious laughter! - with the students and faculty on campus. He has insisted that the Diocese of Baton Rouge remain a leader in the effort to end the evil of child abuse and provide a safe environment for all children and young people, especially within the structures of the Church. He has taken special interest in providing additional opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Catholic high schools and in promoting vocations to the diocesan priesthood. He serves on the Boards of Trustees of both Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and Saint Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana.