Fr. Chemino steps down as Vicar General

Effective February 1, 2022

Father Scott Chemino recently asked that he be permitted to step down as our Vicar General so that he may devote time to the ministries of his parish, Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Bunkie, as well as provide additional care for his mother.

For twelve years, Father Chemino has served three bishops as Vicar General of the Diocese of Alexandria.  In addition, he served as the Delegate to Archbishop Gregory Aymond during his 15-month tenure as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese.  I am very grateful to Father Chemino for his service as Vicar General, and for his tremendous assistance to me during my first year and a half as Bishop of Alexandria.

I have asked Father Michael Craig Scott, Pastor of St. James Memorial Church and Moderator of the Curia, to serve as Vicar General.  Over the years, he has served as Vicar for Clergy and Dean of the Central Deanery.  He is well-prepared to serve our diocese as Vicar General.

In accepting this new responsibility, Father Scott will be relinquishing the position of Dean (Vicar Forane) of the Central Deanery.  Father Rusty Rabalais, Pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor parish in Alexandria, has agreed to serve as the new dean.  Prior to his appointment as a pastor in the Central Deanery, Father Rabalais had served as Dean of the Avoyelles Deanery.

Please join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Father Chemino for his years of dedicated service as Vicar General.  In addition, please join me in thanking Father Scott and Father Rabalais for their willingness to accept these new positions.  Please pray for all of us in this time of transition.

Live Jesus in our hearts,
Most Reverend Robert W. Marshall, Jr.