The Diocese of Alexandria is the Catholic diocese for central Louisiana. The diocese is based in Alexandria, Louisiana. It encompasses the parishes, or counties, of Avoyelles, Rapides, Vernon, Natchitoches, Winn, Caldwell, Madison, Franklin, Tensas, Concordia, Cathoula, Lasalle, and Grant.

The current Bishop of the Diocese is Ronald Paul Herzog, who was appointed to the office on November 4, 2004. Bishop Herzog was formally installed on January 5, 2005. Prior to becoming Bishop, he had been a priest of the Biloxi, Mississippi diocese since 1977.

Bishop Sam Jacobs was Bishop from July 1, 1989 to August 1, 2003. In August of 2003 he was made the Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana. From August of 2003 to November of 2004, the Diocese of Alexandria did not have a resident Bishop. The diocese was lead during this time by Bishop William B. Friend of the Shreveport, Louisiana diocese, who served as the Apostolic Administrator for the diocese.

The corporate title of the diocese is The Diocese of Alexandria. The Latin title of the diocese is Dioecesis Alexandrina in Louisana.

History

The diocese was founded in 1853 as the Diocese of Natchitoches (Natchitochensis). The first Bishop of the diocese was Bishop Augustus Marie Martin.

In 1910, the name of the Diocese was changed to the Diocese of Alexandria (Alexandrinus).

In 1976, the name of the Diocese was changed to the Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport (Alexandrinus-Sreveportuensis). It was known by this name until the summer of 1986, when territory was taken from the diocese in northwest Louisiana to form the new Diocese of Shreveport. Once again, the diocese was known as the Diocese of Alexandria.

Ordinaries of the Diocese

• Augustus Marie Martin - July 29, 1853 - September 29, 1875 (His death)
• Francis Xavier Leray - December 19, 1876 - September 23, 1879 (Reassigned as Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans)
• Anthony Durier - December 19, 1884 - February 28, 1904 (His death)
• Cornelius Van de Ven - October 24, 1904 - May 8, 1932 (His death)
• Daniel Francis Desmond - December 16, 1932 - September 11, 1945 (His Death)
• Charles Pasquale Greco - January 15, 1946 - May 10, 1973 (Retired)
• Lawrence Preston Joseph Graves May 10, 1973 - July 20, 1982 (Resigned)
• William Benedict Friend - November 17, 1982 - June 16, 1986 (Reassigned as Bishop of Shreveport, Louisiana)
• John Clement Favalora - June 16, 1986 - March 14, 1989(Reassigned as Bishop of Saint Petersburg)
• Sam Gallip Jacobs - July 1, 1989 - August 1, 2003 (Reassigned as Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana)
• Ronald Paul Herzog - November 4, 2004 - (Current Bishop)

External links

• The Diocese of Alexandria Web Site (http://www.diocesealex.org)