Resignation of metropolitan archbishop of Bucharest, Romania, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archdiocese of Bucharest, Romania, presented by Archbishop Ioan Robu.

The Pope has appointed Bishop Aurel Percă, auxiliary of Iaşi and titular of Mauriana, as metropolitan archbishop of Bucharest, Romania.

Archbishop-elect Aurel Percă was born in Săbăoani, province of Neamţ, diocese of Iaşi, on 15 August 1951. He completed the General School in 1965 and the lyceum in 1969 in Săbăoani. In Iaşi he attended the Choir School in 1973 and carried out his philosophical and theological studies at the “St. Joseph” Theological Institute (Seminary) in 1979. He was ordained a priest for the same diocese on 26 May 1979 and became parish vicar of the parish of “St. Nicholas” in Bacău from 1979 to 1980. During the years 1980-1985 he continued his studies in Rome, specializing in patristic theology and moral theology. He obtained a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute (1983) and in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in 1985. He subsequently held the position of chancellor of the Ordinariate of Iaşi in 1985, and professor of moral theology and patristic theology at the major seminary of Iaşi and at the Theological Institute. From 1989 to 1994 he served as rector of the “Saint Joseph” Seminary of Iasi and in 1994 he was appointed as vicar general. On 29 September 1999 he was appointed as auxiliary bishop of Iaşi and titular of Mauriana. He was consecrated on the following 8 December.