News
Philadelphia monsignor found guilty of criminal charge in abuse trial
With the same expression of serenity that he had shown for 13 weeks, Msgr. William J. Lynn listened to the criminal jury foreman speak the verdict of guilty on one charge of endangering the welfare of a child June 22 at the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia. Msgr. Lynn becomes the first high-ranking Catholic clergyman in the United States to be convicted of a crime associated with the handling of priests accused of child sexual abuse, though he himself faced no charge of abuse.
Archdiocese lays out broad changes in administration; newspaper among offices to close or merge
(See a revised Organizational Chart here.) A shake-up of seismic proportions for the administration of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was announced by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Thursday, June 21. Consolidations including elimination of offices or combination of others with reduced staffing levels resulted in more than 40 employees losing their jobs. Included in the sweeping changes was the discontinuation of The Catholic Standard and Times. After 117 years, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese, which last year became a monthly paper, ceases to publish. The recent June issue was the last of the newspaper.
POWER forum held at St. Raymond Church
On Monday, June 18, nearly 300 members and allies of congregations in Northwest Philadelphia affiliated with POWER: An Interfaith Movement, gathered at St. Raymond Catholic Church for the organization’s third Economic Justice Forum. POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild) is an ecumenical organization that is working collaboratively with 40 religious congregations, including 10 […]
Proposed Manayunk regional school will not open due to low enrollment
The proposed St. Blaise Regional School in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia will not open in September 2012 as previously planned, according to a statement from the Archdiocese June 18. The school was formed out of the Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations announced in January 2012 to merge St. Bridget Parish School and Holy Child Regional […]
Church bombings, reprisal attacks, claim 45 lives in Nigeria
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Bishop George Dodo of Zaria, Nigeria, was in the middle of his homily June 17 “when we heard a loud explosion.” A car bomb had just exploded near the Cathedral of Christ the King, where the bishop was celebrating the second Mass of the day. “The car bomb created a crater […]
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul honors Missionaries of Charity Sisters with Keys & Sword Award
The Keys & Sword Award, given annually by the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul “acknowledges members of the religious or civic community in recognition of their extraordinary commitment and selfless dedication in service to others.” Given that description, this year’s choice was a no-brainer. It was the Missionaries of Charity, the religious congregation […]
Church leaders tell eucharistic pilgrims Ireland is on path to renewal
DUBLIN (CNS) — The Church in Ireland is on the path to renewal, Church leaders told pilgrims at the opening Mass of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress June 10. Welcoming pilgrims from more than 120 countries at an open-air Mass, Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said, “The Church in Ireland rejoices today in the presence of […]
Christ Cathedral is name of Orange Diocese’s new cathedral
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange, Calif., said June 9 that Christ Cathedral is the new name of the former Crystal Cathedral, now owned by the diocese and once home to the ministries of the Rev. Robert H. Schuller. He also announced Father Christopher Smith has been named episcopal vicar for the […]
Archbishop Chaput announces clerical changes
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective July 2, 2012, unless otherwise noted: PASTORS EMERITI Reverend Monsignor Philip J. Cribben, St. Anastasia Parish, Newtown Square Monsignor Cribben is retiring and will reside at a private residence. Reverend Monsignor J. Michael Flood, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Glenside […]
Msgr. Nelson Perez appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York
It was announced today in Rome that Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Reverend Monsignor Nelson J. Perez as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York. Bishop-elect Perez, age 50, was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1989. In addition to service at the parish level as a parochial vicar and pastor since that time, Bishop-elect Perez was also the Founding Director of the Catholic Institute for Evangelization and has been heavily involved in ministry to Hispanic Catholics.