Appointments: Persico to head diocese of Erie, USA

(Vatican Radio) On Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI nominated Monsignor Lawrence T. Persico to head the diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania (USA).

Msgr. Persico was born November 21, 1950 in Monessen, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Greensburg. He studied at the Seminary of Saint Pius X in Erlanger, Kentucky (1969-1973) and at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (1973-1977), where he received his “Master of Divinity.” Later he obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law at the "Catholic University of America" in Washington, DC (1980-1982).

He was ordained on April 30, 1977 for the Diocese of Greensburg.

After ordination, he served in a number of parishes in Greensburg, and has held the positions of Assistant to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and Chancellor of the Diocese. Since 2005, he has served as Vicar General of Greensburg. In addition, he is currently Vice President of the “Pennsylvania Catholic Conference”.

Bishop Persico succeeds Bishop Donald Trautman, whose resignation upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.