New Philly Archbishop Was Pastor In West Chester

WEST CHESTER, PA — Philadelphia's new incoming Archbishop has a long history of working in the clergy in the area. Nelson Perez, who was recently named by Pope Francis to the role this week, has had a three-year stint as a pastor in West Chester.

Perez was a pastor at St. Agnes Parish between 2009 and 2012, according to CatholicPhilly.com.

He's replacing Archbishop Charles Chaput, who has been in the role for about eight years.

"I am deeply grateful to the Holy Father for this appointment and his confidence in me. It is with great joy tinged with a sense of sadness that I accept the appointment — joy that I will be returning to serve the archdiocese in which I was ordained to the priesthood, where I served as the pastor of two parishes and where I held several leadership positions within the archdiocese, and sadness that I will be leaving an area and the incredible people in Northeast Ohio I have come to love deeply," said Perez in a statement on the diocese's website.

Archbishop-elect Perez's Mass of Installation will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 2 p.m.

Related: New Archbishop Chosen For Philadelphia Archdiocese

Perez became the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland in September 2017. During his tenure in Northeast Ohio, he installed changes in elementary school teaching at Catholic schools in the diocese, created a "think tank" to get young Catholics more involved in the church and invited missionaries from The Culture Project to speak to young adults.

"I will never forget the kindness and hospitality of the people of the Diocese of Cleveland. They will remain in my heart and prayers always. As change is an ever-present part of life, I now turn my attention southeastward as I look forward to my return to Pennsylvania to shepherd the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia," Perez said.

Chaput joined the Archdiocese in 2011.