CLEVELAND — The Catholic Church officially announced Wednesday that Bishop Nelson Perez of the Diocese of Cleveland would be leaving his post to become the next Archbishop of Philadelphia.
The move is a natural fit for Perez, who served as a parish priest in Philly for over 20 years before he was consecrated as a bishop. However, he admitted in his introductory press conference Thursday that there was some sadness, as although he had only lived in Northeast Ohio for two and a half years he had grown to love the community.
"Needless to say, I am sad to leave the people of Cleveland," Perez said. "They were so, so good to me, and I made great friends, and I'll always have them here in my heart."
7 MINUTES WITH RUSS MITCHELL: Diocese of Cleveland Bishop Nelson Perez
Perez will remain Bishop of Cleveland until his installation in Philadelphia on Feb. 18. Still, many in the Greater Cleveland area are already saying their goodbyes, showing the impact he clearly made in his short time here.