Local News
Archbishop Chaput: High schools will stay open, new foundation will aid Catholic schools
Archbishop Charles Chaput announced in dramatic fashion today at a press conference that all four archdiocesan Catholic high schools that had been recommended for closure would remain open. As the archbishop made the announcement at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Philadelphia, where he was joined with some of the top state legislative leaders and local […]
Archdiocese of Philadelphia welcomes new chief financial officer
Timothy O’Shaughnessy, 48, has been named chief financial officer of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia effective April 16, according to a statement today by the archdiocesan Communications Office. O’Shaughnessy most recently served as CFO for St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia since 2008. In that role he was responsible for overseeing all finance-related matters including the […]
Devon Prep student recalls recent visit to Haiti
Just over two years ago a devastating earthquake hit the small country of Haiti destroying the capital city of Port au Prince, killing thousands of people and leaving even more homeless.The country received aid from around the world in the months after the earthquake, but two years later the needs of the Haitian people continue […]
Father Cantalamessa speaks at St. Mary Magdalen in Media
As the Church in America continues to shoulder the cross brought about by clergy sexual abuse, and as the local Church of Philadelphia faces the possible merging and closure of parishes and schools due to the declining number of active priests to staff them, the role of the laity is becoming more and more prevalent. […]
Affected schools in Blue Ribbon Commission appeals process
BUCKS COUNTY SCHOOLS St. John the Baptist, Ottsville: Remains a parish school St. Philip Neri, Pennsburg (Montco): Regional school form with St. Isidore, building closes St. Isidore, Quakertown: Regional school to form with St. Philip at this location St. Michael the Archangel, Levittown: Remains a parish school Our Lady of Grace School, Penndel: Remains a […]
Archdiocese announces final decisions on appeals for Catholic grade schools
The final decision on closings or consolidations of archdiocesan elementary schools as recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Jan. 6 and as modified through an appeals process ordered by Archbishop Charles Chaput was released Feb. 17 in conjunction with a morning press briefing led by Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, who oversees the Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The commission's original recommendations called for 81 schools to form 37 regional schools. As amended, 49 schools will form 23 regional schools and 10 will close outright. The panel originally recommended only one school for closure. (See full list of schools that appealed.) A decision on the future of four archdiocesan high schools recommended for closure was postponed for approximately one week, because of the emergence of potential donors working to keep them open.
Office of Catholic Education reluctantly accepts resignation of West Catholic High School principal
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education announces that with great reluctance it has accepted the resignation of Christian Brother Timothy Ahern, president of West Philadelphia Catholic High School, effective immediately. As president for the past seven years Brother Tim was a model leader who worked faithfully and enthusiastically on behalf of the students, […]
Cardinal Bevilacqua is laid to rest
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua was laid to rest in the crypt of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Tuesday, Feb. 7, joining such illustrious predecessor Archbishops of Philadelphia as Archbishop Patrick J. Ryan, and Cardinals Dennis Dougherty and John Krol. Archbishop Charles Chaput, who was principal celebrant of the Mass, in final remarks […]
Comments of Archbishop Charles Chaput at end of funeral Mass for Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua
Your Eminences; brother bishops, priests and deacons; fellow religious and friends, I’ve been in our Archdiocese less than six months. I’d be foolish to try to sum up in a few words a life as long and as significant as Cardinal Bevilacqua’s. But I do think moments like these are important. They remind us that […]
Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre on the death of Cardinal Bevilacqua
I served as Cardinal Bevilacqua’s secretary from June 1999 until October 2003. Many different things struck me about him; first of all his commitment to the Church, especially the proclamation of the faith. He was very committed to the defense of all human life, especially the unborn and he was also concerned for immigrants. I’m […]