News

Colombian coroner offers free burials to destitute Venezuelan migrants

As hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans migrate across South America to escape hyperinflation and food shortages, some are dying in poverty far from home.

To Europe’s periphery: Pope to visit Baltic nations in late September

UPDATED - Pope Francis will travel to the eastern periphery of Europe to honor a faith that withstood a Nazi invasion and five decades of communist dictatorship and now is striving to help people live in freedom as authentic disciples of Christ.

Aging gracefully: Partnership helps seniors remain in homes

Catholic Housing and Community Services of the archdiocese is offering seniors in-home support with St. Mary Medical Center in Bucks County. One tangible result is fewer repeat visits to the hospital.

U.S. bishops tell pope abuse scandal ‘lacerated’ the church

No details were released after the meeting between Pope Francis and a delegation from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led by its president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, who had requested it Aug. 16 after the Pa. grand jury report.

Update way priests are chosen, accompanied, pope tells new bishops

The best way to help the Catholic Church, Pope Francis told new bishops, is not by pointing fingers and creating scapegoats, but by working together doing God's will.

Vatican confirms ongoing Sistine Chapel Choir finance inquiry

"Several months ago, Pope Francis authorized an investigation into the economic-administrative aspects of the (Sistine Chapel) Choir. The investigation is still in progress," the Vatican press office said Sept. 12.

‘Elitist, clericalist’ church allows abuse to thrive, pope says

Sexual and physical abuse by priests and religious and the scandal of its cover-up by church authorities thrive in countries where the Catholic Church is "elitist and clericalist," Pope Francis told Jesuits in Ireland in August.

Bishop Bransfield retires; pope orders investigation of allegations

UPDATED - Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va., a former Philadelphia priest who faces allegations that he sexually harassed adults.

Women’s Catholic leadership program officially launches

A Catholic women's leadership organization, the GIVEN Institute, which aims to encourage and train young women in leadership roles in the church and society, officially launched Sept. 12.

Leaked German report shows 3,700 cases of abuse of minors in 68 years

UPDATED - The release of the document caused shock in Germany, with many criticizing the German bishops' conference for its detailed knowledge of the abuse and their silence about it.