Pope Francis has named Dallas native Msgr. Robert Coerver, BA ’76, as the new bishop of Lubbock — the 10th University of Dallas alumnus to be appointed a bishop. The appointment was announced yesterday in Washington, D.C., by the papal nuncio of the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre.

“It was with much fear and trembling that I accepted the appointment and responded to the call to serve as bishop of Lubbock,” said Bishop-elect Coerver during a press conference at the Lubbock Diocese. “I’m humbled at the trust which our Holy Father Pope Francis has placed in me.”

University of Dallas President Thomas W. Keefe shared his remarks from the papal announcement:

“Yesterday morning’s announcement of Msgr. Robert Coerver’s appointment as bishop of Lubbock, and our 10th alumnus to be appointed a bishop, means a great deal to the University of Dallas community. We couldn’t be more pleased or excited for Msgr. Coerver and the Diocese of Lubbock.”

Msgr. Coerver closed his speech with a prayer — the final meditation of the spiritual exercise of St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given me all that I am, and all that I possess. I return it to you now and surrender it to be disposed of holy, according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace — with these I am rich enough, and desire nothing more.”

He will be ordained as Bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock on Nov. 21, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Christ the King Cathedral in Lubbock.

Visit the Dallas Diocese for more information about Bishop-elect Msgr. Robert Coerver — including a statement from Bishop Kevin J. Farrell.

Photo: Courtesy of the Dallas Diocese