Bishop Lawrence Persico Applause
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg announces Erie Bishop Lawrence T. Persico is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
Born in Monessen, his home parish was the former St. Cajetan (now The Epiphany of Our Lord Parish). He attended the former St. Joseph Hall, Greensburg; the former St. Pius X Seminary, Erlanger, Kentucky; St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe; and The Catholic University of America where he earned his licentiate in canon law.
Persico was ordained to the priesthood April 30, 1977, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, by Bishop William G. Connare.
His pastoral appointments included: parochial vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin, 1977-80, and administrator pro tem then pastor, St. James Parish, New Alexandria, 1997-2012.
His diocesan and other appointments were: chaplain, former Assumption Hall, Greensburg, and St. Emma Monastery, Greensburg; Tribunal judge; defender of the bond, notary and auditor in the Tribunal; vice chancellor; chancellor; bishop’s representative to the administrative board of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC); vice president, PCC; member, board of delegates, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania; and vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Greensburg, 2005-12.
He was named Prelate of Honor to his Holiness with title of monsignor by Pope John Paul II, Feb. 28, 2005, and invested as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Oct. 2, 2010.
Bishop Persico was named 10th Bishop of Erie by Pope Benedict XVI, July 31, 2012, and ordained and installed at St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, Oct. 1, 2012.
Greensburg Bishop Edward C. Malesic celebrated a special Mass for priests celebrating jubilee anniversaries of ordination June 1 at the Bishop Connare Center in Greensburg.