Bishop Taylor celebrates 10 years with us

Published: June 5, 2018

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is celebrating his 10th anniversary as shepherd of the Diocese of Little Rock, June 5, while on retreat with priests at Subiaco Abbey. A special Mass of thanksgiving, to celebrate all jubilarian priests serving in Arkansas, will include the bishop's anniversary on June 26. All are invited to attend this Mass at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock with reception to follow in McDonald Hall.

To kick off the celebration of Bishop Anthony B.
Taylor's 10th anniversary of shepherd of the
Diocese of Little Rock, he presided over three
ordination rites for one transitional deacon and
eight new diocesan priests in May and June.

The former parish priest for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City was named the seventh bishop of our diocese, which includes the entire state of Arkansas, by Pope Benedict XVI in April 2008. Bishop Taylor's episcopal ordination and installation was celebrated on June 5, 2008 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

Focusing on the episcopal motto "The Humble Shall Inherit the Earth", (Psalm 37:11, Matthew 5:5), Bishop Taylor has fought for those in humble circumstances, including the poor, immigrants and refugees, death-row inmates and the unborn and challenged us to "Open Our Hearts in Welcome." He has ordained 35 men to the priesthood, been a dedicated teacher, supported marriage and family and promoted a consistent ethic of life. To learn more, read the June 9 issue of Arkansas Catholic that includes a timeline, statistics and Q&A with the bishop.

During his episcopal ordination and installation, Bishop Taylor expressed his gratitude to everyone who came to celebrate with him and asked them for one thing: prayer. "My one request is that you pray for me and for our Diocese of Little Rock, that God will make me a good bishop, holy and wise, faithful to the Lord, whatever the cost."

To honor his request, we invite you to submit a prayer request for the bishop in celebration of his 10 years in Arkansas. It can be a prayer of thanksgiving for his leadership and/or a prayer asking for God's continued blessing and guidance for him going forward. Your prayer will be posted on our online Prayer Book of Intentions. These prayers are offered up at the noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Taylor and other priests on Wednesdays at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock.