Salt Lake City — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Thursday that Gérald Caussé, a French native and the church’s longtime presiding bishop, has been appointed to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of the highest governing bodies in the global faith.
The 62-year-old Caussé, known for his stewardship of the church’s vast financial portfolio and his commitment to environmental sustainability, was ordained by President Dallin H. Oaks and members of the First Presidency. His appointment marks the first major leadership move of Oaks’ presidency, now just three weeks old.
A European Voice in Church Leadership
Born in Bordeaux, France, Caussé becomes the third presiding bishop in church history to hail from outside the United States — and the first whose native language is not English. He now joins two other Europeans in the Quorum: Dieter F. Uchtdorf of Germany and Patrick Kearon of Britain.
“I’ve always had a testimony of Jesus Christ,” Caussé said in a statement released by the church. “He’s always been at the center of my life. I know He lives, and I know He’s our Savior and Redeemer. To be a witness of Christ is the greatest stewardship we can have.”
The Church’s Financial Steward
Caussé’s leadership over church finances has earned him a reputation as one of its most trusted administrators. As presiding bishop since 2015, he oversaw humanitarian aid, real estate, and investments for the 17.5-million-member faith.
The church’s investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors, manages tens of billions in assets — a figure estimated at around $58 billion in publicly reported holdings as of June 2025, with total managed assets believed to exceed $200 billion, according to The Widow’s Mite Report.
In past interviews, Caussé credited the church’s prosperity to “the faith and sacrifice of generations of members” and to financial principles grounded in self-reliance and prudence. “We teach members to live within their means, avoid unnecessary debt, and prepare for the future,” he said in a 2018 address.
A Global Focus on Sustainability
Beyond finance, Caussé has become known as one of the faith’s leading advocates for environmental stewardship. During a 2022 General Conference, he emphasized that caring for the planet “is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God.”
He later outlined six major sustainability priorities at a 2023 conference in Brazil — from water conservation and renewable energy use to sustainable farming and waste reduction.
“Caring for the Earth,” he said, “is not just environmentalism — it’s discipleship.”
Brigham Young University ecology professor Ben Abbott called Caussé’s teachings a reflection of “a theology that connects the physical world to spiritual responsibility.”
A Life of Faith and Family
Before becoming a general authority, Caussé worked in the French food industry, serving as general manager for Pomona, a major distribution company. A second-generation Latter-day Saint, he and his wife, Valérie Babin Caussé, were married in 1986 in the Bern Switzerland Temple and have five children.
The family has relocated multiple times for church service — from France to Germany, and then to the United States. “It wasn’t always easy,” Caussé acknowledged, praising his children for their resilience and devotion.
Global Reaction and Legacy
Historians and members alike have celebrated Caussé’s appointment as a moment of international significance for the church. Historian Ardis Parshall described him as “a loving, kind, intelligent man,” while scholars noted his ability to “bridge faith and secular culture.”
Religious studies researcher Vinna Chowriamah highlighted his global perspective: “Coming from France, he understands communities shaped by secularism. That makes him an effective bridge builder for a worldwide faith.”
As an apostle, Caussé will serve for life, helping oversee global operations and missionary work. His new calling fills the vacancy created by the death of 101-year-old President Russell M. Nelson in September.
Caussé’s elevation, observers say, positions him as one of the most globally minded and financially seasoned apostles in the modern history of the church — a leader who blends faith, stewardship, and sustainability in equal measure.
