He is also the chair of the bishops’ committee on cultural diversity, and the former chair of the bishops’ sub-committee for Hispanic affairs.įrancis and Chaput were perceived to be as foes as the pope has sought to liberalize – relatively – the Catholic church.Ĭhaput, who was previously served as the archbishop of Denver, was the first person of Native American background to be appointed an archbishop in the US. He previously served as the parochial vicar of St Ambrose parish in Philadelphia, and was assistant director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics. Perez, who speaks English and Spanish, was born in Miami and raised in West New York. “It is with great joy tinged with a sense of sadness that I accept the appointment,” Perez said. In a statement on Twitter, Perez said he was “deeply grateful” to Pope Francis for the appointment. In this case, the ultra-traditionalist Chaput has been allowed to leave, with Perez assuming the role. Perez, who is currently the bishop of Cleveland, replaces Charles Chaput, a conservative who was at odds with Francis’s more liberal positions on leading issues, including homosexuality and abortion.Ĭhaput offered his resignation in September – church law dictates that bishops must do so when they turn 75 – but a pope can choose to decline the offer.
