Father Danny Roussel of Baton Rouge remembered as a ‘devoted priest’

Carl Bunderson   By Carl Bunderson for CNA

September 1, 2021 Catholic News Agency News Briefs 0 Print

Cross of the Martyrs. / Aaron Groote via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0).

Baton Rouge, La., Sep 1, 2021 / 19:00 pm (CNA).

The Bishop of Baton Rouge has recalled Fr. Danny Roussel, who died by suicide on Monday, as a devoted and beloved priest, and encouraged prayers for the priest and for his family.

“Fr. Danny was a deeply devoted priest who was beloved by his family, his parishioners, and his brother clergy. He shared a commitment to the faith that was clear and unwavering. I greatly appreciated Danny’s generous and open-hearted service to our diocese,” Bishop Michael Duca wrote Aug. 31.

Fr. Roussel, who was 49, took his own life Aug. 30, the bishop said.

“We are aware that Danny recently struggled with anxiety and depression. For many people, the difficulties of the modern world can be an unbearable challenge. For some, these feelings can be overwhelming. I would ask you to pray for Father Danny, his mother, stepfather, brother, and family,” Bishop Duca wrote.

“Please also remember his Church families at Our Lady of Peace in Vacherie, St. Mary of False River in New Roads, St. Aloysius in Baton Rouge, and the larger diocesan Church family.”

The bishop encouraged those feeling overwhelmed not to “struggle alone,” adding, “We must take care of one another, and we must also take care of our own mental health. If you are struggling to cope, do not hesitate to reach out to family and friends who love you, a pastor, or a licensed professional – someone to listen to you. You are not alone. Remember that our greatest source of strength and comfort is the mercy and love of God. Let us never waiver in these assurances of faith.”

Fr. Roussel was ordained a priest May 22.

He was a native of Vacherie, about 50 miles southeast of Baton Rouge, and worked nearly 20 years at a soft drink bottling plant before entering seminary in 2014. At least some of his formation was done at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

Fr. Roussel was serving as parochial vicar at St. Aloysius parish in Baton Rouge, and as a chaplain to St. Joseph’s Academy.

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Pope Francis appoints Pittsburgh priest as bishop of Ohio-based Byzantine eparchy

August 31, 2023 Catholic News Agency 1
Pope Francis addresses pilgrims from the Ruthenian Eparchy of Mukachevo in St. Peter’s Basilica, Dec. 11, 2019. / Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images.

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 31, 2023 / 11:55 am (CNA).

Pope Francis this week confirmed the appointment of a Pittsburgh priest as the bishop of a Byzantine Catholic eparchy serving several midwestern U.S. states, the Vatican announced Thursday. 

In its regular update of resignations and appointments, the Holy See Press Office said Aug. 31 that Father Robert Mark Pipta had been appointed as bishop of the Eparchy of Parma based outside of Cleveland.

The Byzantine Catholic Church — formally titled the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church — is known in canon law as an “ecclesia particularis,” or a “particular church,” one that is in full communion with the Holy See but which retains distinct liturgical rites and customs from that of the Latin Church. 

An eparchy is the Byzantine Catholic equivalent of a diocese. The Parma eparchy encompasses most of Ohio as well as Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the bishopric says on its website.

Pipta previously served in the clergy of the eparchy of Holy Protection of Mary of Phoenix of the Ruthenians and most recently as rector of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, the Vatican said. 

Pipta was ordained in 1994 for the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops says on its website. He has served at parishes in California and Nevada in addition to his appointments in Pennsylvania and Arizona. 

The newly appointed bishop said in a letter this week that since its founding 50 years ago, the Parma eparchy has “shown itself a leader in return to authentic liturgical practice and has enhanced its parishes in the liturgical arts.”

“Efforts of evangelization and outreach are notable in the eparchy, including guidance to assist college students in remaining connected to their Byzantine Catholic upbringing,” Pipta said. “I’m eager to do my part for the increase of these and many other Spirit-guided endeavors.”

Reached for comment on Thursday, an eparchy official said the bishopric has not yet finalized arrangements for Pipta’s installation. Passaic Eparchy Bishop Kurt Richard Burnette, who also serves as the apostolic administrator of Parma, said in a letter that Pipta would be consecrated in his new role on Nov. 8. 

The Parma eparchy includes nearly 30 parishes spread across 12 states, totaling roughly 4,300 parishioners.

The eparchy was established in February 1969 by Pope Paul VI.

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