Background
Robert Muench was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to William Anthony and Mary Kathryn (née Allgeier) Muench. He has three sisters, Jo Ann, Mary Alice, and Marsha.
Robert Muench was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to William Anthony and Mary Kathryn (née Allgeier) Muench. He has three sisters, Jo Ann, Mary Alice, and Marsha.
From 1964 to 1968, Muench studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, District of Columbia, earning a Master"s in Education. He also attended courses at Loyola University and the University of New Orleans.
He is the fifth and current Bishop of Baton Rouge, having previously served as Bishop of Covington from 1996 to 2002. At age 3, he and his family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. He entered Saint Joseph Seminary in 1956, and then Notre Dame Seminary in 1962, from where he obtained a Bachelor"s degree in Philosophy.
Muench was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1968.
During this time, Muench also assisted at various parishes in New Orleans. He was associate pastor and later co-pastor of Saint Matthias Church between 1976 to 1982.
Muench served as Vicar for Christian Formation (1977-1981) and Director of Vocations (1981-1983) for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He was named Director of the Pope John XXIII House for Vocation Discernment and Executive Assistant to Archbishop Philip Hannan in 1983.
After becoming a Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in 1985, he was made Vicar General (1989) and Moderator of the Curia (1990) for the archdiocese.
On May 8, 1990, Muench was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans and Titular Bishop of Mactaris by Pope John Paul World War II He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 29 from Archbishop Francis Schulte, with Archbishop Hannan and Bishop John Favalora serving as co-consecrators. He selected as his episcopal motto, "Jesus Must Increase" (John 3:30). Bishop of Covington
Muench was later named the ninth Bishop of Covington, Kentucky, on January 5, 1996, being formally installed on the following March 19.
During his tenure, he oversaw the repair and renovation of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.
Bishop of Baton Rouge
John Paul II appointed Muench the fifth Bishop of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on December 15, 2001. His installation took place at its Saint Joseph Cathedral on March 14, 2002.
Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Muench joined Archbishop Alfred Hughes and Governor Kathleen Blanco in a televised appearance declaring a day of prayer for the state of Louisiana.
He was also a member on the Boards of Saint Elizabeth Medical Center and Edgewood Hospital, Chancellor of Thomas More College, and a member of the Committee on Priestly Formation within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.