Bishop-elect Jacques Fabre of Charleston spoke of his wish for unity in a divided time. He was speaking during an introductory press conference on Tuesday.
Fabre was appointed on 22 February. The 66-year-old, who was born in Port-au-Prince, and moved to the United States as a teenager, has administered the San Felipe de Jesús Mission in Georgia for the past 12 years. He previously served as a chaplain to Haitian refugees in Guantanamo, Cuba.
Bishop Emeritus Robert Guglielmone, 76, retired upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Speaking at the press conference, Guglielmone said it was a “great day for the diocese” with the appointment of the new bishop, and that it had been “a delight” to have a few conversations with Fabre prior to his arrival in Charleston. Guglielmone referred to his successor as “a great gift to the Diocese of Charleston.”
“Together, we want to learn what it is, to search for what it is, so we can, together, give testimony to God’s love,” he said.