Puerto Rico will get its first native Bishop

BISHOP LUIS APONTE MARi INEZ has been appointed Coadjutor with right of succession to Bishop James E. McManus, C.SS.R., of the Diocese of Ponce, Puerto Rico
This action. announced by the Vatican this week. means that Bishop Aponte. a Puerto Rican. will automatically become Bishop of Ponce on the death or retirement of Brooklyn-horn Bishop McManus. Bishop Aponte thus becomes the first native of Puerto Rico designated to become head of a Puerto Rican See.
Bishop McManus had long been at odds with the government of Governor Luis Munoz Marin over what he considered 'anti-Christian' and 'anti-Catholic' principles of the governor's party, However, since being received in audience by Pope John a year ago, conciliatory gestures have been made by Munoz and the Church in Puerto Rico.