Bishop of Erie
Lawrence T. Persico was born on November 21, 1950, in Monessen, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Greensburg. He studied at the Seminary of Saint Pius X in Erlanger, Kentucky (1969–1973) and at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (1973–1977), where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Later, he obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (1980–1982). He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Greensburg on April 30, 1977. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Irwin (1977–1980); Assistant Chancellor and Chaplain of Assumption Hall (1983–1984); Vice Chancellor (1984–1989); Pastor of Saint James Parish in New Alexandria (since 1984); Chancellor (since 1989); and Vicar General (since 2005). Additionally, he has served as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference since 2006. On February 28, 2005, he was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness. In 2010, he was invested as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In addition to English, he is proficient in Latin and Italian.