RVC Auxiliary Bishop to lead Diocese of Cleveland

Auxiliary Bishop Nelson Perez, who spent the last five years with the Diocese of Rockville Centre, was appointed by Pope Francis last week to lead the nearly 700,000 Catholics in Cleveland.

The Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cleveland, was among those that welcomed Perez to Northeast Ohio during a news conference Tuesday morning at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He will become the 11th bishop of Cleveland at an installation mass on Sept. 5 in Cleveland.

“I’ve been given instructions not to lean on the podium, because I would end up over there somewhere,” a smiling Perez began, humorously pointing out into the audience.

Perez, 56, was born in Miami to Cuban parents, and grew up in West New York, New Jersey. After earning a psychology degree from Montclaire State University in 1983, he attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he earned Master’s degrees in Divinity and Theology in 1988 and 1989, respectively. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1989.

“I certainly never imagined then that I would one day serve as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York and now here today to begin my service as your bishop,” Perez told the packed cathedral.

He thanked Bishop Emeritus William Murphy, the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s leader at the time Perez was appointed in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, and Bishop John Barres, who was installed in January, as well as his former fellow auxiliary bishops, who he called “brothers.”

“I really don’t have words to express to these guys the gratitude that I feel for their kindness, their friendship and the joy and enthusiasm which they received, and embraced me five years ago,” said Perez, who was Long Island’s first Latino bishop. “The Archdiocese of Philadelphia taught me to be a priest and these bishops taught me to be a bishop.”

Over the last five years, Bishop-designate Perez served as the Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Vicariate of the Diocese of Rockville Centre and Vicar for Hispanic Ministry. He was a member of the Corporate Board of Directors for Catholic Health Services, the Priests Personnel Board, the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Advisory Committee for Hispanic Ministry. Perez was a vice chair of Catholic Charities, and as a member of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, he serves as the Chair the Bishop’s Sub-Committee for Hispanic Affairs.

“With his background in counseling, the depth of his prayer life and liturgical life, and his joyful and charismatic personality, Bishop Perez brings both the Joy and Laughter of the Gospel into every room he enters,” Barres wrote in a statement. “…We the People of God of the Diocese of Rockville Centre give God thanks for the ministry of Bishop Perez and we rejoice today with Pope Francis, Bishop Perez, his dear parents and family, and the People of God of the Diocese of Cleveland.”

Until Perez’s installation on Sept. 5, he will remain with Rockville Centre. There is no information at this time about a potential replacement for Perez, according to Sean Dolan, director of communications for the diocese.

Perez said that he will keep the friendships with the people that helped spiritually shape him in Rockville Centre, adding that, with still much to learn, it was Cleveland’s turn.

“I hope that you’ll express your gratitude to them as they helped to form me, and now you pick up and continue to form me,” he said. “You’re not done.”