Bishop Bosco retires in Greensburg; Erie priest named as successor

Published: 2004-01-02

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of Bishop Anthony G. Bosco of Greensburg, Pa., and named Msgr. Lawrence E. Brandt, chancellor of the Diocese of Erie, to succeed him. Bishop Bosco, 76, has been a bishop for 33 years and has led the Diocese of Greensburg since 1987. Bishop-designate Brandt, 64, a former member of the Vatican diplomatic corps who had served in Madagascar, Germany, Ecuador and Algeria, has ministered in the Diocese of Erie since 1981. While serving as the diocesan chancellor, he has been living at St. Hedwig Parish in Erie. The changes were announced in Washington Jan. 2 by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Bosco is one of just two dozen active U.S. bishops who were appointed before Pope John Paul II took office. He served as an auxiliary bishop in Pittsburgh from 1970 until he was appointed to Greensburg in 1987. He offered his resignation in August 2002 when he turned 75, in keeping with Vatican policy.

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