New Hispanic Archbishop for Philadelphia UPDATED

I really like Rocco Palmo blog Whispers in the Loggia for its insights into our bishops.  Nelson Perez an Hispanic with a Cuban background became a priest of the diocese of Philadelphia and after being an auxiliary in Rockville Center became our bishop about two and a half years ago. Rocco gives some of the background and reactions there.

Bishop Nelson Perez of Cleveland goes back to Philadelphia

The story I like most is: 

While on the usual after-hours circuit at the 2014 November meeting of the US bishops, this scribe stopped to wave and nod to a familiar trio of prelates holed up at a table in the Marriott lounge.

Per his habit, the then-auxiliary of Rockville Centre wasn't with his old confreres from Philadelphia, but the bench's contingent of his fellow Cuban exiles: the auxiliaries of Brooklyn and Newark, Bishops Octavio Cisneros and Manny Cruz. (Somehow, the group's senior member – Felipe Estevez, the Miami-bred bishop of St Augustine – was oddly missing.)

To be sure, Nelson Perez would always join the other Philly priests-made-bishops for their traditional dinner during the week, but – having spent 15 years in these night sessions (i.e. the part of the day when Whispers' work really gets done) – the rest of the time, Nelson invariably wound down the days with the conference's Latino bloc, often including the now-president, LA's Archbishop José Gomez.

In any case, on the night mentioned, Cisneros shouted a memorable greeting my way: "Now you can say you saw the Cubans preparing the 'invasion'!"

Five years later, little could any of us have imagined how that line would prove prophetic.

UPDATED:  Tom Reese's view of the appointment  at NCR

Pope Francis Remakes American Hierarchy One Bishop at a Time

Unlike Reese, I think Chaput may speak up more in his retirement than he does now.

Francis had some interesting things to say about the resignations of bishops when he revised the rules recently

One who prepares to submit his resignation needs to prepare himself appropriately before God, stripping himself of any aspiration to power and of the claim of being indispensable. This will allow him to calmly and trustingly take this step, which would otherwise be painful and discordant. At the same time, one who truly realizes the need to step down must discern in prayer how to experience the stage that is about to begin, by making a new plan of life, marked as much as possible by austerity, humility, prayers of intercession, time dedicated to reading, and willingness to provide simple pastoral services.

On the other hand, if exceptionally one is asked to continue to serve for a longer period, this entails generously giving up one’s new personal project. This situation, however, must not be considered a privilege or a personal triumph, or a favour due to presumed obligations deriving from friendship or closeness, nor as gratitude for the effectiveness of services rendered. Every eventual deferment can only be understood in line with certain reasons that are always linked to the common good of the Church. This pontifical decision is not an automatic act but an act of governance; consequently it entails the virtue of prudence which will help one, through appropriate discernment, to take the suitable decision.

Chaput has indicated that the plans to remain in Philadelphia, and that he will spend the next few months free of commitments to reflect upon his future. As Archbishop emeritus, he also pledged his obedience to his successor.