Msgr. Bruce Miller, former academic dean, dies at 73

Msgr. Bruce Miller, a retired priest of the Diocese of Alexandria and former academic dean at St. Joseph Seminary College, died Feb. 25 in Covington at the age of 73.  A memorial Mass was celebrated March 6 at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Mandeville.

Msgr. Miller died after a battle with cancer. His priestly service spanned over four decades, including in his later years serving as professor of theological studies, spiritual advisor and academic dean at St. Joseph Seminary College.

Born on July 13, 1951, in Alexandria, Louisiana, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 6, 1977, for the then-Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport (later the Diocese of Alexandria).

Msgr. Miller served in pastoral ministry at various parishes, including as associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Natchitoches, and as pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Pineville; St. Martin Church in Lecompte; Mary, Mother of Jesus in Woodworth; St. Rita Church in Alexandria; and St. James Memorial Church in Alexandria.

In the Diocese of Alexandria, he held numerous ecclesiastical offices, including judicial vicar, episcopal vicar for administration, moderator of the curia and judge on the diocesan tribunal. 

He also made extensive contributions in the field of canon law through his publications, translations and presentations, in addition to his many leadership positions within the Canon Law Society of America, including serving as the society’s president from 2016-2017.

In recognition of his outstanding service to the Church, Pope Francis named him a chaplain to his holiness with the title of Reverend Monsignor on May 8, 2019.

Msgr. Miller is preceded in death by his parents, Odis and Ethel Miller, and his brother, Kenneth. 

He is survived by his sister, Jennifer Martin, and her husband Bruce Martin; his nephew and godson, Joseph Martin, and his wife Tatyana Martin; his niece and goddaughter, Julie Martin-Peel and her husband Scott Peel.