Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert is the new diocesan administrator for the Diocese of Little Rock.
Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, vicar general for the Diocese of Little Rock under retired Bishop Andrew J. McDonald and Bishop J. Peter Sartain, was chosen as the diocesan administrator until a new bishop is named to replace Bishop Sartain.
The College of Consultors met June 29 at St. John Center in Little Rock and voted by secret ballot for a temporary leader for the diocese. In addition to Msgr. Hebert, six other priests voted. They are Msgr. Bernard Malone of Hot Springs Village, Msgr. Francis I. Malone, Msgr. Scott Friend, Msgr. John O’Donnell and Msgr. Scott Marczuk of Little Rock, and Msgr. Jack Harris of Pine Bluff.
In the absence of a bishop, the Vatican requires an administrator be named to handle most of the diocesan functions that a bishop does. The administrator is chosen among the priests of the diocese who are 35 years old or older.
For the complete story, see the July 8 issue of Arkansas Catholic.
