Bishop of Lafayette
John Douglas Deshotel was born in Basile, in the Diocese of Lafayette (Louisiana), on January 6, 1952. He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the University of Dallas and Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving (Texas). He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Dallas on May 13, 1978. Following his ordination, he held the following pastoral positions: Parochial Vicar at Saint Patrick Parish in Dallas (1978–1980); Notary and Advocate at the diocesan ecclesiastical tribunal (1979); Parochial Vicar at Saint Anthony Parish in Longview (1980–1982), Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Dallas (1982–1983), and Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Longview (1983–1988); Pastor of Saint William Parish in Greenville (1988–1992), Saint John Nepomucene Parish in Ennis (1992–1995), and Saint Luke Parish in Irving (1995–2001); Vicar Forane of Deanery Five (1996–2001); Member of the Presbyteral Council (1999–2004); Vice-Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving (2001–2005); Pastor of Saint Monica and San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas (2006–2008); Vicar Forane of Deanery Five (2007–2008). Since 2007, he has served as Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, Diocesan Consultor, and Member of the Presbyteral Council. Appointed Titular Bishop of Cova and Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas on March 11, 2010, he received episcopal ordination on April 27 of that year. Within the Episcopal Conference, he served as Chairman of Region X (2011–2013). In addition to English, he speaks French and Spanish.