Robert William Muench

Robert William Muench (born December 28, 1942) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Robert William Muench
Bishop Emeritus of Baton Rouge
ArchdioceseNew Orleans
DioceseBaton Rouge
AppointedDecember 15, 2001
InstalledMarch 14, 2002
Term endedJune 26, 2018
PredecessorAlfred Clifton Hughes
SuccessorMichael Duca
Orders
OrdinationMay 18, 1968
ConsecrationJune 29, 1990
by Francis B. Schulte, Philip Hannan, and John Favalora
Personal details
Born (1942-12-28) December 28, 1942
Louisville, Kentucky
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
ParentsWilliam Anthony and Mary Kathryn (née Allgeier) Muench
Previous post(s)Bishop of Covington (1996-2002)
Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans (1990-1996)
MottoJESUS MUST INCREASE
Styles of
Robert William Muench
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Muench served as the fifth Bishop of Baton Rouge from 2001 to 2018, having previously served as Bishop of Covington from 1996 to 2002.

Early life and education

Robert Muench was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to William Anthony and Mary Kathryn (née Allgeier) Muench; he has three sisters, Jo Ann, Mary Alice, and Marsha. When he was age three, the family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. Muench attended Jefferson Davis and St. Leo the Great primary schools in New Orleans.[1]

In 1956, Muench entered Saint Joseph Seminary in Saint Benedict, Louisiana. he graduated from the high school and junior college program in 1962. He graduated from Notre Dame Seminary in 1964, earning a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy.[1]

From 1964 to 1968, Muench studied at the Catholic University of America, D.C., earning a Master's in Education and completing his seminary studies. He also attended courses at Loyola University New Orleans and the University of New Orleans.[1]

Priesthood

On May 18, 1968, Muench was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.[2]

After his ordination, Muench joined the faculty of St. John Vianney Preparatory School in New Orleans He worked there until 1977, serving as religion teacher, liturgy director, guidance counselor, and eventually rector.Muench also assisted at various parishes in New Orleans. In 1976, he became associate pastor of St. Matthias Church in New Orleans, later becoming pastor.[1]

In 1977, Muench also became the Vicar for Christian Formation n, but was moved in 1981 to Director of Vocations. In 1983, he was named Director of the Pope John XXIII House for Vocation Discernment and Executive Assistant to Archbishop Philip Hannan After becoming an Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in 1985, he was made Vicar General (1989) and Moderator of the Curia (1990) for the archdiocese.[1]

Episcopal career

Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans

On May 8, 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed Muench as Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese of New Orleans and Titular Bishop of Mactaris.[1]

He was installed and consecrated on June 29 1990 at Saint Louis, Cathedral in New Orleans by Archbishop Francis Schulte, with Hannan and Bishop John Favalora serving as co-consecrators.[2] Muench selected as his episcopal motto, "Jesus Must Increase" (John 3:30).[3]

Bishop of Covington

On January 5, 1996, John Paul II appointed Muench as the ninth Bishop of Covington in Kentucky He was installed and consecrated on March 19, 1995, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.[1]

Muench served as a member on the Boards of St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Northern Kentucky, Chancellor of Thomas More College, and a member of the Committee on Priestly Formation within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He also initiated renovations of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption[1]

Bishop of Baton Rouge

On December 15, 2001, John Paul II appointed Muench as the fifth Bishop of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, . He was installed and consecrated at its St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge on March 14, 2002. with Archbishop Alfred Hughes presiding.

Muench also served on the Board of Trustees of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and Saint Joseph Seminary College.[1]

On November 12, 2004, the diocese of Baton Rouge settled a sexual abuse lawsuit brought against the diocese by a Baton Rouge man. The plaintiff claimed that the late Bishop Joseph Vincent Sullivan had abused him when the man was 17 years old in 1975. Muench authorized the settlement, calling the accusations credible. He promised to rename the Bishop Sullivan High School before the next school term.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Muench joined Hughes and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco in a televised appearance declaring a day of prayer for the state of Louisiana.[4]

On June 26, 2018, Pope Francis accepted Muench's resignation after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.

See also

References
  1. "Curriculum Vitae of Bishop Robert W. Muench". Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. Archived from the original on 2006-07-23.
  2. "Bishop Robert William Muench". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. "Coat of Arms of Bishop Robert W. Muench". Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. Archived from the original on 2006-05-07.
  4. Filteau, Jerry (2005-08-31). "Louisianans face long recovery from Katrina, New Orleans flooding". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on 2005-09-08.

Episcopal succession
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