FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop Francis I. Malone of the Diocese of Shreveport; Appoints Bishop Robert W. Marshall, Jr. as Apostolic Administrator
SHREVEPORT, LA:
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Francis I. Malone and has appointed the Most Reverend Robert W. Marshall, Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Shreveport. Bishop Marshall will serve until the Holy See appoints and installs a new bishop. The Most Reverend Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, announced the appointment in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2026.
Bishop Marshall has served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria since April 2020. Speaking about his additional assignment as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Shreveport, he expressed gratitude and readiness to serve:
“I want to thank Pope Leo for entrusting me with the care of this diocese during this period of transition,” he told the assembly.
Bishop Emeritus Malone was appointed Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Shreveport on November 19, 2019, and was ordained and installed on January 28, 2020. He submitted his resignation to the Holy Father upon turning 75 in September 2025, as required by Canon Law. He continued to faithfully serve the people of the Diocese of Shreveport until Pope Leo XIV accepted his resignation this morning.
Looking forward to a well-earned retirement, Bishop Emeritus Malone reflected on his time in North Louisiana:
“My time in the Diocese of Shreveport flew by, and I’m looking forward to my years of retirement.”
The Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, congratulated both bishops and offered his prayers. In a statement released today, Archbishop Checchio said:
“Today, we also congratulate Bishop Malone on his retirement and thank him for his episcopal ministry here in Louisiana. I join with the good people of the Shreveport Diocese in fervently praying to the Holy Spirit for a new good shepherd to that lovely portion of God’s vineyard. We also thank Bishop Marshall of Alexandria for temporarily taking on the role of apostolic administrator and assure him of our support and prayers.”
The Very Reverend Monsignor Rothell Price, Moderator of the Curia and Vicar for Clergy, served as Master of Ceremonies at a press conference at the Catholic Center on Tuesday, September 15, at 10:00 AM. Monsignor Price formally welcomed Bishop Marshall to the Diocese of Shreveport, thanked Bishop Emeritus Malone for his dedicated pastoral leadership, and wished him a blessed retirement.
Following the press conference, Bishop Marshall and Bishop Emeritus Malone concelebrated Holy Mass for the Catholic Center staff in St. Vincent’s Chapel.
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