Leo-Raymond de Neckere

Who was Leo-Raymond de Neckere?

Leo-Raymond de Neckère, C.M., was a Belgian-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of New Orleans from 1830 until his death in 1833.

Born in Wevelgem, West Flanders, Leo-Raymond de Neckère studied the classics and philosophy at the College of Roeselare, and attended the seminary of Ghent. He accepted an invitation from Bishop Louis Dubourg in 1817 to serve as a missionary in Louisiana, United States, arriving in September of that year. He completed his studies at St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary in Perryville, Missouri, on the outskirts of St. Louis, and there joined the Congregation of the Mission in 1820. De Neckère was ordained to the priesthood on 13 October 1822. He then worked as a missionary and seminary professor before becoming superior of St. Mary's Seminary in 1826.

While in Europe to recuperate his health, de Neckère was appointed the first Bishop of New Orleans by Pope Pius VIII on 4 August 1829. Returning to the United States, he received his episcopal consecration on 24 June 1830 from Bishop Joseph Rosati, C.M., with Bishops Michael Portier and John England serving as co-consecrators, at St. Louis Cathedral.