Local News
Archbishop Chaput reflects on his first year in Philadelphia
After his installation as shepherd of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s almost 1.5 million Catholics a year ago, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput immediately began to put out fires of the crises he’d inherited. Many of them where unprecedented in the more than 200-year history of the archdiocese: a severely contracting Catholic school system, collapsing Church finances, parishes under threat of closure or consolidation. Add to that the ongoing fallout of the priest sexual abuse scandal that saw priests on trial in criminal court, priests whose ministerial status remained in limbo and priests who were overstretched and just plain demoralized. “I’d like to set fires rather than put them out,” said the archbishop, who sat for an interview with CatholicPhilly.com days before his Sept. 8 one-year anniversary as head of the Archdiocese. “The Lord has given me a lot of fires to put out, where my preference is to light fires.
Innovative Catholic high school opens in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s newest and most innovative Catholic high school, Cristo Rey (Christ the King) Philadelphia, received a formal baptism through an Aug. 31 Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated by Archbishop Chaput at Our Lady of Hope Church on North Broad Street. The parish’s former school now houses Cristo Rey. What sets it apart from any […]
Clergy assignment changes announced
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: RETIREMENT Reverend Donato P. Silveri, while remaining as the Catholic Chaplain at Southeastern Pennsylvania Veterans Center with continued residence at St. Joseph Parish, Spring City, effective September 1, 2012 PASTORS Reverend Leo P. Oswald, from Parochial Vicar, St. […]
Why are workers losing ground? For one, it’s the economy
James Carville coined the phrase in the 1992 election year, “It’s the economy, stupid,” and like microphone feedback the mantra has just gotten louder and stronger with the passage of two decades. In his Labor Day message (English | Spanish), Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop of Stockton and chairman of the Committee on Domestic Development […]
Philadelphia Catholic high schools, special ed schools, placed under new management
Philadelphia’s 17 archdiocesan high schools as well as its four schools for special education are officially under new management. Under a historic agreement in principal signed by Archbishop Charles Chaput and H. Edward Hanway for the Faith in the Future Foundation on Aug. 21, strategic and operational control of the 21 schools passes to the […]
New deans among more clergy assignments
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., announces the following appointments, effective August 20, 2012: DEANS Reverend Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, West Brandywine, Dean, Deanery 3 Reverend Joseph J. Kelley, Pastor, Saint Monica Parish, Philadelphia, Dean, Deanery 8 PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR Reverend John E. Donia, to Parochial Administrator, Holy Name of Jesus […]
Archdiocese looks to ease cash crunch by selling properties
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Aug. 13 the planned sale of select real estate holdings, on a case-by-case basis, to address its operating deficit in the current fiscal year. A deficit of at least $6 million is expected even before any extraordinary costs may be incurred. Properties included are the previously announced sale of the […]
Newman Center helps college students share Catholic faith
College is a time of change and transformation. It is also a time when many students rediscover and deepen their faith. Pam Putnam came to the University of Pennsylvania from Crescent City, Nevada. She found herself stressed and at times overwhelmed by the pressures of college life. “I had a pretty difficult semester. It felt […]
Archbishop announces clerical changes
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective as noted: PASTORS EMERITI Reverend Monsignor John A. Close, Saint Katharine of Siena Parish, Wayne, effective August 10, 2012. Monsignor Close is retiring and will reside at Villa Saint Joseph, Darby Reverend Leonard N. Peterson, Saint Maria Goretti Parish, Hatfield, effective […]
In wake of shooting, Archbishop Chaput joins religious leaders in support of Sikhs
The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia expressed words of condolence and support for members of the Sikh community Aug. 9 in a letter cosigned by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. The ecumenical and interfaith group, including leaders of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Baha’i communities, responded to what it called the “senseless violence” in which a gunman killed six people and wounded four at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin Aug. 5. The leaders said they stand with Sikhs “in solidarity, friendship, hope and prayer.”