News
Pastor of St. Bridget Parish is placed on leave
Father Steven Harris, pastor of St. Bridget Parish in Philadelphia, has been suspended because of “concerns regarding his suitability for ministry,” according to the Philadelphia Archdiocese. After a separate probe in 2011, the priest was cleared for ministry in 2012.
Pope to Vatican employees: Take care of your marriage, grandparents
The pope continued a tradition he started last year of inviting people who work at the Vatican, along with their families, to receive pre-Christmas greetings. Parents should focus more on doing things with the kids and less about material things, he said.
They’ll have a bleak, bleak Christmas in Nepal
Catholics in Nepal are preparing for a harsh Christmas due to an economic blockade imposed by India that has led to shortages of electricity, fuel and medicine, as winter sets in. Efforts to recover from a devastating earthquake in April have stalled.
Minn. archdiocese settles abuse case with child-protection plan
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis agreed to oversight of its child protection measures for three years by local law enforcement. The archdiocese is doing more than it is required "because we want to -- because it's the right thing to do," said one bishop.
Social services’ leader named to head archdiocese’s outreach ministries
James Amato has been named secretary for Catholic Human Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, effective Jan. 1. He succeeds Joseph Sweeney Jr., who is retiring.
Congress OKs continued funding of adult stem-cell research, treatment
The legislation for the effective treatments, which the Catholic Church favors over the destruction of human embryos, passed with bipartisan support including from New Jersey Republican Rep. Chris Smith and Philadelphia Democratic Rep. Chaka Fattah.
As doctor of the church, pope prescribes strong medicine
Pope Francis used a year-end meeting with his top officials to offer "fraternal correction," spiritual direction and his clear expectation of their role as servants, not masters, of the church. He described virtues as treatments for the bishops' spiritual ailments.
St. Patrick students study a multi-course STREAM of water
The Catholic school in Malvern adopted a month-long curriculum to study water and its connection across disciplines such as science, technology, religion, engineering, art and math. In addition to hands-on activities, they raised money and awareness.
Eighth grader at Our Lady of Calvary School wins prize in national contest
Ciara Dubeck of Northeast Philadelphia won an award for developing a mobile app that helps children eat healthier and stay fit by tracking the points and rewards they earn through the app. She won a trip to attend Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco.
Pope Francis praises road map for peace in Syria
The pope expressed "deep appreciation" for a Dec. 18 resolution that calls for a cease-fire, a unity government with a new constitution and presidential elections within two years. Civil war has raged in Syria for almost five years and led to a major migration crisis.