Nelson Jesus Perez (born June 16, 1961) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who serves as the 10th and current Archbishop of Philadelphia, having been appointed by Pope Francis on January 2020.[1]
Nelson Jesus Perez | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Philadelphia | |
 | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Philadelphia |
| Appointed | January 23, 2020 |
| Installed | February 18, 2020 |
| Predecessor | Charles J. Chaput |
| Previous post(s) | Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre Titular Bishop of Catrum Bishop of Cleveland |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 20, 1989 by Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua |
| Consecration | July 25, 2012 by William Murphy, Charles J. Chaput, and Paul Henry Walsh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 16, 1961 |
| Motto | CONFIDE ET SPERA (Trust and Hope) |
| Coat of arms | .svg) |
| Styles of Nelson Jesus Perez | |
|---|---|
| |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Biography
Early life and education
Nelson Jesus Perez was born in Miami, Florida, on June 16, 1961, to David and Emma Perez. His parents were exiles from Cuba.[2] He attended P.S. Number 4 and Memorial High School in West New York, New Jersey. Perez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Montclair State University in 1983 and taught at Colegio La Piedad, a Catholic elementary school in Puerto Rico. He then entered Philadelphia's St. Charles Borromeo Seminary where he earned a Master of Arts and a Master of Divinity degree in 1988 and 1989 respectively.[3]
Ordination and ministry
Perez was ordained to the priesthood of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 20, 1989.
His first assignment after ordination was as curate at Saint Ambrose Parish, Philadelphia (1989–1993). He also served as assistant director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics (1990–1993); as the founding director of the Catholic Institute for Evangelization (1993–2002); as pastor of Saint William Parish, Philadelphia (2002–2009) and as pastor of Saint Agnes Parish, West Chester.
In 1998, he was named Chaplain to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, with the title of monsignor. In 2009, he was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI.
Episcopal service
Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre
On June 8, 2012, Perez was appointed titular bishop of Catrum and auxiliary bishop of Rockville Center, New York, by Pope Benedict XVI.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on July 25, 2012.
Bishop of Cleveland
.svg)
On July 11, 2017, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Cleveland.[5][6] He was installed as the 11th Bishop of Cleveland on September 5, 2017.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Perez was named Archbishop of Philadelphia on January 23, 2020, by Pope Francis, succeeding Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. His installation Mass was celebrated on February 18, 2020.[7] He is the first Hispanic American bishop of Philadelphia.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "Cleveland bishop named Philadelphia's next archbishop". Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ O’Connell, Gerard (January 23, 2020). "Pope Francis appoints Bishop Perez, son of Cuban exiles, as new archbishop of Philadelphia". America. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ Archdiocese of Philadelphia[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 08.06.2012" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. June 8, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 11.07.2017" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. July 11, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ "Pope Francis Names Bishop Nelson Perez as New Bishop of Cleveland; Pope also Names Father Andrew Bellisario as New Bishop of Juneau". Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ Roebuck, Jeremy (23 January 2020). "Bishop Nelson Perez of Cleveland named Philadelphia's next archbishop, replacing Charles Chaput". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ "Cuban-American becomes first Hispanic archbishop of Philadelphia". Archdiocese of Miami. January 23, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
