Born: Sept. 11, 1950, in Columbus, Georgia

Age: 66

Bishop David Talley joins his brother clergy around the altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist at his April 2, 2013, ordination as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Photo By Michael Alexander

Early years: Converted to Catholicism at the age of 24 and joined the Catholic Church at St. Mary Church in Opelika, Alabama. Graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1976. Earned master’s degree in clinical social work in 1985 at the University of Georgia. Worked for the Department of Family and Children Services in Fulton County, Atlanta.

Education: Studied at St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana, earning a master of divinity degree. Earned a licentiate and doctorate in canon law at Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome, Italy, completing his doctorate in 1998.

Ordained a priest: June 3, 1989, by Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta.

Service in Atlanta Archdiocese: Parochial vicar and administrator of St. Jude the Apostle Church, Atlanta, 1989-93; following studies in Rome, Italy, in 1998 became director of vocations, staff member of the Metropolitan Tribunal and later also chancellor of the archdiocese; launched the El Paso Project for seminarians to study Spanish and experience cultural differences before ordination and started Nazareth House residence for seminarians; named monsignor with the rank of prelate of honor in 2001 by Pope John Paul II and appointed judicial vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal. Subsequently served as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Alpharetta; St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn; and St. Brigid Church, Johns Creek.

Disabilities ministry: From first assignment at St. Jude in 1989 became part of the ministry to those with disabilities and has participated in Toni’s Camp weekend every year and has been its chaplain for over 20 years. New St. John Neumann Church in 2010 incorporated accessibility features throughout its sanctuary.

Auxiliary Bishop: Named auxiliary bishop of the Atlanta Archdiocese by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2012 and ordained a bishop on April 2, 2013. His episcopal motto is “He will give you a new heart” from the Book of Ezekiel.

Coadjutor Bishop: Named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana, on Sept. 21, 2016, by Pope Francis. A welcome Mass will be celebrated in Alexandria on Monday, Nov. 7.