THIRD BISHOP OF LAFAYETTE DIES AT 93
Bishop Gerard L. Frey, retired Bishop of Lafayette, died at his
home August 16, 2007 at 3:15 p.m. A vigil prayer service will
be held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Monday,
August 20, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Keith DeRouen, pastor
of the Cathedral, officiating. The Diocese of Lafayette will pay
its final respects to Bishop Gerard L. Frey Tuesday, August 21,
2007, at 10:00 a.m. Prinicipal Celebrant for the Mass will be
Bishop Michael Jarrell with attending bishops and the two priest
brothers of Bishop Frey, Msgr. Andrew Frey amd Father Jerome Frey.
Bishop Frey was born in New Orleans, LA May 10, 1914 to Marie and Andrew Frey. He was ordained Priest for Archdiocese of New Orleans April 2, 1938. In his 17 years as third Bishop of Lafayette, Bishop Frey widened the consultative process to involve priests, religious and laity. He appointed the first woman chancellor in the U.S., and other administrative posts were held by women. He presided over a diocesan synod 1987-90, assisted by his coadjutor Bishop Harry J. Flynn, who became Bishop of Lafayette when Bishop Frey retired in 1989.
Upon the death of Bishop Frey Bishop
Michael Jarrell made the following statement:
"The clergy and people of the Diocese of Lafayette are saddened
to learn of the death of His Excellency, The Most Reverend Gerard
L. Frey, Bishop Emeritus of Lafayette. His life as a Christian,
as a priest and as a Bishop is summarized in his Episcopal motto,
"Serviam" ("I will serve"). Ordained in 1938,
he served the Archdiocese of New Orleans as a priest for 29 years.
He served the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia as Bishop for six years.
He served the Diocese of Lafayette as Bishop for 16 years. In
all of his assignments he served generously and faithfully. Above
all, he served his Lord in whom he had complete faith and trust.
That trust is now rewarded as God has called him to share in the
beatific vision. In the Book of Revelation, we read: "Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord....Let them find rest from their
labors."
May our brother, Gerard, rest in peace."
His Assignments were as follows:
| Associate pastor: | Holy Rosary, Taft |
| St. James Major, New Orleans | |
| St. Leo the Great, New Orleans | |
| Pastor: | St. Frances Cabrini, New Orleans |
| St. Francis de Sales, Houma | |
| Archdiocesan assignments: | Director, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine |
| Archdiocesan Consultor | |
| Chairman, Liturgical Committee | |
| Member, Associated Catholic Charities Advisory Board Archdiocesan Seminary Advisory Board |
| Ecclesiastical appointments: | Papal Chamberlain 1949 |
| Domestic Prelate 1954 | |
| Pastoral representative to Vatican II, 1962-64 | |
| Episcopal appointments: | Bishop of Savannah, GA 1967-72 |
| Bishop of Lafayette, LA 1972-1989 |