News
Cardinal urges Catholics to ‘share truth about human life’ far and wide
The cardinal, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said in his Respect Life Month message that any work on behalf of life must be grounded in "love that seeks to serve those most in need, whatever the personal cost."
North Carolina bishops to exit council over same-sex marriage, abortion
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- Both North Carolina Catholic bishops -- Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Charlotte Bishop Peter J. Jugis -- are resigning from the North Carolina Council of Churches, an ecumenical organization comprised of Christian church leaders from across the state, because the group supports some issues that contradict Catholic teaching.
Pope establishes advisory panel as permanent Council of Cardinals
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis made his international advisory panel on church governance a permanent council of cardinals, thereby emphasizing the importance and open-endedness of its work among his pontificate's various efforts at reform. The Vatican made the announcement Sept. 30, a day before Pope Francis was scheduled to meet for the first time with the panel.
St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Media, celebrating 50 years as vibrant family
St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Media, Delaware County, has certainly come a long way in 50 years when it started in 1963 with 156 families worshiping in a converted barn. When Archbishop Charles Chaput visits on Sunday, Sept. 29 for the anniversary Mass, it will be in a clearly contemporary church where the past has been seamlessly blended in. But ultimately it is not the vibrancy of the church architecture that makes St. Mary Magdalen a great parish; it is the vibrancy of the people and the multitude of programs. “It’s one thing to build a beautiful church, it’s another to build a prayerful spirit and a family of faith,” Msgr. Chieffo said.
Two archdiocesan schools win National Blue Ribbon honor
St. Andrew School in Newtown and St. Patrick School in Malvern were selected as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools during an announcement Sept. 24. The two parish elementary schools were two of 286 schools nationally and 15 schools statewide to be selected for the honor. They were the only Catholic schools in Pennsylvania selected this year.
Father Freeman, longtime Newman chaplain, dies at 65
Father John A. Freeman, 65, a former pastor of St. John Fisher Parish in Boothwyn and former Newman Center chaplain, died Sept. 21. He was Newman chaplain for Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges for 15 years. He also taught on the adjunct faculty of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was appointed pastor of St. John Fisher Parish in 2004 and retired for reasons of health in 2011.
What the Catholic Cemeteries arrangement means to the big picture of the archdiocese
While the cemeteries lease with an upfront payment of $53 million will make a dent in the $350 million balance sheet liability, it will not solve it completely. But it is progress. Tim O’Shaughnessy, who joined the archdiocese as Chief Financial Officer early last year, explained where we are and where we have been.
Philadelphia Archdiocese agrees to 60-year management pact for Catholic Cemeteries
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has signed an agreement to outsource management of 13 Catholic cemeteries through a 60-year lease to StoneMor Partners L.P., it was announced Sept. 26. Under the terms of the lease, the cemeteries will remain Catholic in nature and still be owned by the archdiocese. All current full-time employees of the Catholic Cemeteries Office will become StoneMor employees. The lease of the cemeteries is the latest step to address the archdiocese’s financial challenges.
Suspended Philadelphia priest arrested in Maryland for sexual assault of minor
Father Robert L. Brennan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia whose priestly faculties were suspended since 2005, has been arrested in Maryland on charges of sexually abusing a Northeast Philadelphia boy between 1998 and 2001. Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams made the announcement at a press conference today, Sept. 26, in Philadelphia.
Philippine bishops call for release of hostages as gunfights rage
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Bishops in southern Philippines have condemned rebels' use of hostages as human shields in gunfights with government troops. The gunfights have escalated since Sept. 9 after hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front fighters reportedly attacked government troops who were securing five coastal districts in Zamboanga.