The Rt. Rev. Charles Edward Jenkins III, tenth bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana, died on April 9, surrounded by his family. He was 69 years old. Funeral arrangements are pending. The diocese will share more information as soon as it is available.

Bishop Jenkins was a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and consecrated bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana on January  31, 1998, where he served until 2009.

Having graduated from Nashotah House in 1976, he was ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. James Brown in 1977. At the time of Jenkins’ election as bishop, he was rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, where he served for 12 years.

Jenkins will be remembered most for his leadership and community rebuilding efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. After his retirement, he served as bishop-in-residence of Grace Church, St. Francisville. He often presided over services at St. John’s, Laurel Hill, and the chapel of Grace Church.

Jenkins is survived by this wife, Louise Hazel Jenkins, sons Benjamin and Edward (Beth), and granddaughters Claire and Eleanor.

Please keep the Jenkins family in your prayers. May Charles’ soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

To read Bishop Jenkins’ obituary, please visit this link.