LAKE CHARLES — Bishop Jude Speyrer, the founding bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles who served there for 20 years, died Sunday.
He was 84.
Pope John Paul II chose Speyrer to lead the Diocese of Lake Charles as its first bishop when the diocese was established in 1980. He retired in 2000.
Speyrer was ordained in 1953 and had served in various posts in the Diocese of Lafayette for 27 years before being named bishop.
“I feel fortunate to have known and worked with this faithful priest and bishop, who did so much to build and strengthen the two dioceses in which he served. I pray that the Lord may grant him the reward of his labors,” Diocese of Lafayette Bishop Michael Jarrell said in a statement.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. July 31 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Public viewing will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 29 and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 30.
Burial will be in the New Bethany Cemetery in Moss Bluff.