The Holy Father Francis appointed H.E. Monsignor Nelson J. Perez Bishop of Cleveland (U.S.A.). Up to now he was Titular Bishop of Catro and Auxiliary of the Diocese of Rockville Center, New York.
Monsignor Perez was born of Cuban parents in Miami, Florida, on June 16, 1961. After obtaining his B.A. degree at Montclair Sate University in New Jersey in 1984, he pursued ecclesiastical studies at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary at Overbrook, Pennsylvania, where he obtained a Master’s in Theology (1985-1989). He was ordained priest on May 20, 1989 for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
After his priestly Ordination, he held the following posts: Parish Vicar of Saint Ambrose’s Parish in Philadelphia (1989-19930; Vice-Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Hispanics (1990-1993); Director and Founder of the Catholic Institute for Evangelization (1993-2002); Parish priest of Saint William’s Parish in Philadelphia (2002-2009); Parish priest of Saint Agnes’ Parish in West Chester (2009-2012). In addition, he was a member of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (2003-2005). He was appointed Honorary Prelate of His Holiness on October 24, 2009.
Appointed Titular Bishop of Catro and Auxiliary of Rockville Center (New York) on June 8, 2012, he received Episcopal Consecration the following July 25. As Auxiliary of Rockville Center he was Episcopal Vicar of the Eastern Vicariate and for the Hispanic apostolate Within the Episcopal Conference he is President of the Sub-Committee on Hispanic Affairs, member of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church and of the Sub-Committee “Catholic Campaign for Human Development.” Recently he led the national “Encounter V” for the pastoral care of Hispanics.
