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Obituary for Bishop Joseph N. Latino
Bishop Joseph Nunzio Latino, retired bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, died Friday, May 28, in Jackson. He was 83. A native of New Orleans, Bishop Latino was born on Oct. 21, 1937. He was the son of John P. Latino and Theresa Rizzuto Latino. After completing his seminary studies and training at St. Joseph College in St. Benedict, La., and Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Bishop Latino was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans by Archbishop John P. Cody in St. Louis Cathedral on May 25, 1963. He was appointed 10th Bishop of Jackson on Jan. 3, 2003; and was ordained and installed on March 7, 2003, in the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle in Jackson. He retired on Dec. 12, 2013. Bishop Latino devoted his episcopal ministry to fostering Gospel-based social justice initiatives, lay leadership, and vocations. During his tenure, the office for Protection of Children was established to help insure a safe environment for children in churches, schools, and communities. Under his leadership the diocese implemented the new English translation of the Roman Missal and reinstated the Permanent Diaconate formation program. In his retirement Bishop Latino continued to minister through quiet prayer and reflection along with the sharing of his gentle spirit and wisdom gained from 59 years of priestly service and 83 years of life in Christ. He was beloved by family and friends throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. “Bishop Latino was most gracious to me from the outset and remained a prayerful and steady friend and colleague from the time I was ordained and installed on February 6, 2014. May he rest in peace,” said Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Anthony. He is survived by his sister, Laura (Raul) Ramirez; his sister-in-law, Loretta Latino; and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews. Bishop Latino will be lying in state in the Cathedral on Tuesday, June 8, beginning at 12:30 p.m. A Wake service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m.; and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John and Theresa Latino Trust for Seminarian Education through the Catholic Foundation or to Catholic Charities Jackson.
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