Pope Francis has named Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel as the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette.

Bishop Deshotel was appointed at a news conference held Wednesday morning on the grounds of the Immaculata Center.

“I was very surprised. I was getting ready to go in for a confirmation when the Apostolic Nuncio called me and said that I was selected,” Bishop Deshotel told KLFY’s Jazmin Thibodeaux.

Bishop Deshotel has served for 38 years as a priest in Dallas, Texas.

He is a Basil native and is now returning home to the Acadiana area.

“This has been my home. All my brothers and sisters live here. I know the area, I know the faith, I know the culture and I look forward very much to serving in the Diocese and serving the people of the Diocese of Lafayette,” Deshotel said.

Bishop Michael Jarrel announced his retirement last year after serving 14 years as Bishop.

Bishop Deshotel will be the 7th Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette.

Father Chester Arceneaux at St. John’s Cathedral said he’s excited to see Bishop Deshotel come into his new position.

“To have a native some of Acadiana to come and be the new Bishop is very exciting because he can identify with the people of his own experiences and growing up,” Father Arceneaux explained.

The new bishop has a motto he lives by:

“The love of Christ that urges me or impels me to do the work that I do. We show our love for Christ in service to the people we assign to serve.”

Bishop Deshotel said he does have a few programs he’d like to bring to the Diocese once he is installed.

Deshotel will be installed as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette on April 27, 2016.