Robert William Muench

Robert William Muench (born December 28, 1942) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Muench served as bishop of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana from 2002 to 2018. He previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Covington in Kentucky from 1996 to 2002 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in Louisiana from 1990 to 1996.

Robert Muench was born on December 28, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, to William Anthony and Mary Kathryn (née Allgeier) Muench; he has three sisters, Jo Ann, Mary Alice, and Marsha. When he was age three, the family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. Muench attended Jefferson Davis and St. Leo the Great primary schools in New Orleans.

In 1956, Muench entered Saint Joseph Seminary in Saint Benedict, Louisiana. He graduated from the high school and junior college program in 1962. He then attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1964.

From 1964 to 1968, Muench studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning a Master of Education degree and completing his seminary studies. He also attended courses at Loyola University New Orleans and the University of New Orleans.

On May 18, 1968, Muench was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Louis Cathedral in New Orleans by Archbishop Philip Hannan for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Muench to the faculty of St. John Vianney Preparatory School in New Orleans. He worked there until 1977, serving as religion teacher, liturgy director, guidance counselor, and eventually rector. Muench also assisted at various parishes in New Orleans. In 1976, he was named associate pastor of St. Matthias Parish in New Orleans, later becoming pastor.

In 1977, Hannan named Muench as vicar for Christian formation, then moved him in 1981 to director of vocations. In 1983, Muench was named director of the Pope John XXIII House for Vocation Discernment and executive assistant to Archbishop Hannan. The Vatican elevated Muench to the rank of honorary prelate of his holiness in 1985. Archbishop Francis B. Schulte named Muench as his vicar general in 1989 and moderator of the curia in 1990.

On May 8, 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed Muench as an auxiliary bishop of New Orleans and titular bishop of Mactaris. He was consecrated on June 29, 1990, at Saint Louis Cathedral in by Schulte, with Hannan and Bishop John Favalora serving as co-consecrators. Muench selected as his episcopal motto, "Jesus Must Increase" John 3:30.

On January 5, 1996, John Paul II appointed Muench as the ninth bishop of Covington. He was installed on March 19, 1995, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky.