Bishop Edward K. Braxton was born on June 28, 1944 in Chicago, IL, the third of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Cullen L. Braxton Sr. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 13, 1970 by John Cardinal Cody, the Archbishop of Chicago, who began his episcopal ministry, like Bishop Braxton as Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis.Bishop Braxton was ordained a bishop in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali on May 17, 1995, the 25th anniversary of his First Mass. On February 21, 2001, Bishop Braxton took canonical possession of the Diocese of Lake Charles at Vespers. He was installed on February 22, 2001 as our diocese's second bishop.
After almost four and one half years of service to our diocese, Bishop Braxton was appointed as Bishop of Belleville. His installation there took place on June 22, 2005.
Bishop Braxton's legacy in the Diocese of Lake Charles includes his desire to share his enthusiasm for knowledge with clergy, religious and laity alike; revamping the diocesan Confirmation preparation program, implementing the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in all parishes; establishing two new parishes; spearheading efforts to raise funds, and personally raising monies, for expansion of the only Catholic High School in the diocese; interfaith dialogue and understanding; and the list goes on and on.