'Gumbo to Barbecue'

Archbishop-elect Shelton J. Fabre has been praised for his humility, devotion to God and his love of family.

Fellow priests and family members describe the New Roads native as a man who is beloved by his parishioners, a man whose love of God shows through his heart, words and actions, and a man who is always willing to listen, never foregoing an opportunity to spread the word of God. 

Archbishop Fabre, a graduate of Catholic of Pointe Coupee School in New Roads, was appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky Feb. 8, succeeding Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, who is retiring. Archbishop Fabre’s installation date is           scheduled March 30.

“Our family joins in sharing the joy, pride and excitement of this new appointment,” said Paula Fabre, a longtime principal at St. Francis Xavier School in Baton Rouge and the archbishop’s cousin.  I am proud of his work, especially in his actions which reflect the connection 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. 

“Therefore, I am no longer in the ‘Who Dat’ nation of the New Orleans Saints, for I know well this is Cardinal and Wildcat country where basketball is king,” Archbishop Fabre said during his press conference in Louisville. “The Lord has led me from the bayous to the bluegrass, from gumbo and jambalaya to barbecue.”   

“I leave the coasts of a Cajun community to walk with you in the foothills of the heartland. And I do so, knowing that my love for king cake and Mardi Gras will soon be quenched by mint juleps and the Kentucky Derby.”

Paula Fabre said her cousin continues to be devoted to his family, no matter the distance. She said that whenever possible he participates in family events. 

“He continues to be a comfort to our family as we are to him,” she said. “He is always interested in family news. As he proceeds through his various assignments, his love for our family and our love for him is continuous.” 

Vicar General Father Tom Ranzino said he has had the pleasure of knowing Archbishop Fabre when the latter was parochial vicar at St. George Church in Baton Rouge, where Father Ranzino was pastor at the time. He and Archbisop Fabre were also part of the same priest support group until Archbishop Fabre’s appointment as the auxiliary  bishop in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

“We worked together for a year and he already displayed a pastor’s heart,” Father Ranzino said. “Archbishop Fabre has keen insight into people, a compassion that comes from his own life experience and God’s grace and a deep devotion to Christ through the church. This new assignment will open his world, blessing his new flock with his African American roots, his Catholic sensibilities and his Louisiana warmth.”