News

Downingtown author writes to inspire a culture of life

A new collection of short stories by Brendan Lyons, a Villanova grad and member of St. Joseph Parish, highlights the courage needed to witness to the sanctity of life.

Catholics in archdiocese raise their prayers in 24 Hours for the Lord

While the 20 archdiocesan parishes participating in the second annual worldwide 24-hour devotion were fewer than last year, parishioners who took part offered prayers in eucharistic adoration and got in lines for confession.

Catholic Charities leaders push priorities with Congress on ‘Hill Day’

Catholic Charities leaders spent the second day of their two-day meeting pressing support for federally funded social services -- in many cases their lifeblood -- that touch the lives of the millions of people they serve.

Continuing ‘Mercy Friday’ practice, pope visits center for the blind

Pope Francis returned to a practice he developed during the Year of Mercy: making a Friday-afternoon visit to people in need of or deserving special care.

Port Richmond school touts first-ever high school matching scholarship

Thanks to its leadership and prodigious fundraising, Our Lady of Port Richmond School is offering each of eight graduating students a $2,000 scholarship to three archdiocesan high schools, who are matching the aid.

French priest pleads for safety of North Korean Christian refugees

Father Philippe Blot, who works with the Paris Foreign Mission Society, described the situation facing North Korean refugees as "becoming ever more dramatic" as they flee to China to avoid dying of hunger.

Bishops urge Congress to take bipartisan approach on health care reform

UPDATED - Now that lawmakers have withdrawn the bill, Congress must "seize this moment to create a new spirit of bipartisanship" and make "necessary reforms" in existing health care law to address access, affordability, life and conscience, said three U.S. bishops' committee chairmen.

Archbishop announces clerical changes

Four changes of assignment were announced for archdiocesan clergy, and a new priest was welcomed for ministry and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Pro-life advocates who made undercover videos charged with 15 felonies

UPDATED - California prosecutors March 28 charged David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt with felonies for filming 14 people without permission. One felony count was filed for each person and the 15th count was for criminal conspiracy to invade privacy.

U.S. Supreme Court examines pension plans of religious hospitals

The case hinges on interpretation of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, which requires pension plans to be fully funded and insured. Congress amended that law in 1980 to carve out a narrow exemption for churches and other religious organizations.