The diocese is led by the Most Reverend Nelson J Perez, Bishop of Cleveland.
The diocese is led by the Most Reverend Nelson J Perez. We are blessed to have the (emeritus) Most Reverend Richard Lennon, the Most Reverend Anthony M Pilla and the Most Reverend Roger Gries, OSB who continue to offer spiritual support to further the mission of the Church in the diocese.
A kind, joyous, and hard-working person, Bishop Perez enriches those ministries and people entrusted to his care. Rooted in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, “The Joy of the Gospel”, Bishop Perez’s pastoral vision can be summarized as: “Church on Mission: Proactive, Involved, Supportive, Fruitful, and Joyful."
The Most Rev. Richard Gerard Lennon was installed as the 10th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio on May 15, 2006. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Lennon to the leadership position over nearly 800,000 Catholics in eight counties of Northeast Ohio on April 4, 2006.
Anthony M. Pilla was born in Cleveland and was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1959. Pope John Paul II announced his choice of Father Pilla as Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland on June 30, 1979. On November 18, 1980, he was named the Ninth Bishop of Cleveland and was installed on January 6, 1981.
Bishop Roger was professed a Benedictine monk on July 11, 1957 and was ordained a priest on May 18, 1963. Following his ordination, he earned a MA from Loyola of Chicago in Education. He served Benedictine High School as teacher, coach, bus driver, principal and president from 1964-2001.
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