Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the death of the Rt. Rev. Charles Edward Jenkins III, tenth bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana. He died Friday evening surrounded by his family. He was 69 years old. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. We will share more information as soon as it is available.
Charles was a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He was consecrated bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana on January 31, 1998, and served as bishop until 2009.
He graduated from Nashotah House Seminary in 1976. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Brown in 1977. At the time of his election as bishop, he was rector of St. Luke’s, Baton Rouge, where he served for 12 years.
Charles will be remembered most for his leadership and community rebuilding efforts following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the fall of 2005. In an upcoming issue of Churchwork, we will share more on his legacy as bishop of Louisiana.
Following his retirement, Charles served as bishop-in-residence of Grace Church, St. Francisville. He often presided over services at St. John’s, Laurel Hill, the chapel of Grace Church.
He 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.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr.
Bishop of Louisiana