Pope John Paul II has named Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Pepe as the second Bishop of the diocese of Las Vegas in Nevada. The Las Vegas See (Latin for seat) has been vacant since May 22, 2000 when the Holy Father appointed former Bishop Daniel F. Walsh to head the diocese of Santa Rosa in California.

Joseph Anthony Pepe was born in Philadelphia on June 18, 1942, and graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1960 and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1970.

Upon news of Monsignor Pepe's appointment, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, said "I join with all the clergy, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in extending heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes to Bishop-Elect Pepe upon his appointment as Bishop of Las Vegas. Bishop-Elect Pepe has been a faithful servant of the Church in his various assignments in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, including his work in the Metropolitan Tribunal and as Chancellor. With that same faithfulness and dedication, Bishop-Elect Pepe has served since 1993 in various capacities in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, most recently as Moderator of the Curia, Chancellor and Vicar for Clergy. His pastoral demeanor, administrative skills and canonical expertise have earned him the respect of his brother priests at home in Philadelphia as well as in Santa Fe. I am confident that these same gifts will guide him as he shepherds the people of God in Las Vegas."

The Diocese of Las Vegas has 24 parishes and a Catholic population of 430,000. It is the fastest growing Catholic diocese in the United States. Monsignor Pepe will be ordained a bishop and installed as the second bishop of the diocese of Las Vegas on May 31, 2001.

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Bishop-Elect Joseph A. Pepe
Curriculum Vitae

Joseph Anthony Pepe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 18, 1942, one of two children born to Francis V. (deceased) and Elvira (Fazio) Pepe. The future bishop was baptized at St. Francis de Sales Church, Philadelphia. He attended St. Mary of the Assumption and later Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish elementary school. Following his graduation from Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia, in 1960 ,he entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook. Joseph A. Pepe was ordained a priest on May 16, 1970.

Father Pepe first served as Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of Loreta Parish, and as a member of faculty at Cardinal O'Hara High School, Springfield. Father Pepe received his Doctorate in Canon Law from Rome's Pontifical University of Saint Thomas in 1976.

Father Pepe was ordained Defender of the Bond, Metropolitan Tribunal, Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1976, and as Prosynodal Judge a year later. Ten years later, Father Pepe was appointed Vice Chancellor, and in 1990, he was named Chancellor of the archdiocese. During his tenure in the Chancery, Father Pepe served as Vice Promoter for the Cause of Blessed Katharine Drexel. From 1982 through 1987, Father Pepe was a member of the faculty of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he taught Canon law.

In May, 1991, Monsignor Pepe was named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. Monsignor Pepe then served briefly as Pastor of St. Justin Martyr Parish in Narberth. Upon special request of the Bishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Monsignor Pepe went to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in 1993 to assist as the Judicial Vicar. In April 1998, Monsignor Pepe was appointed Chancellor, Moderator of the Curia, and Vicar for Priests for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

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