News
Pa. Bishops announce day of prayer, fasting and abstinence for religious liberty
The Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania have called for Friday, March 30, 2012, to be a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence for religious liberty.
More than 1,000 men gather to grow in their faith, spirituality
The fourth annual Men’s Spirituality Conference, held March 3 at Archbishop Ryan High School in Northeast Philadelphia, broke its own tradition by featuring a woman for the day’s keynote address. It was an extraordinary step, but Immaculee Ilibagiza was an extraordinary speaker. In 1994, during 100 terrible days, Hutu rebels massacred 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda, […]
Montco coroner releases report on Cardinal Bevilacqua’s death
Suspicion surrounding the death of Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, former Archbishop of Philadelphia, has been laid to rest. He died of natural causes Jan. 31 at St. Charles Seminary in Wynnewood, according to Montgomery County Coroner Walter I. Hofman. “Elderly people with pre-existent natural disease often die quite suddenly,” Hofman said March 8 at press conference […]
Retired Bishop Reiss of Trenton, N.J., dies at age 89
TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) — Retired Bishop John C. Reiss of Trenton, who served as auxiliary bishop and bishop in his home diocese, died March 4 at Morris Hall, the diocesan home for the aged in Lawrenceville. He was 89. The eighth ordinary in the diocese’s history, Bishop Reiss served as auxiliary bishop from 1967 to […]
Mary Mother of Captives support group helps families of prisoners
Her name is Maryann and she doesn’t want her last name published. She is a 12-year survivor of breast cancer. She also has a son who is 25. He is in prison serving a term of two to five years. Maryann, 60, attends regular support group meetings for her breast cancer. She also has started […]
Meet Paul Gleason Sr., the longest serving Knight in the world
To live to be a centenarian is certainly a distinction. To discover that you are the longest serving member of the 1.8 million Knights of Columbus in the entire world is quite another. That would be Paul J. Gleason Sr., who is a member of Phoenixville Council #1374 whose singular longevity in the Catholic men’s […]
Cardinal Dolan dismayed that White House rebuffs religious freedom concerns
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a strongly worded letter to his fellow bishops, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York charged that White House officials failed to consider the U.S. bishops' concerns that the federal mandate governing employer coverage of contraception and sterilization under the health care law violated religious freedom principles.
Archdiocese issues statement on Father McCormick
At approximately 5 p.m. Friday, March 2, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia learned that Father Patrick G. McCormick was arrested Feb. 23 and charged with patronizing a prostitute, according to a statement by the archdiocesan Communications Office. “This information is deeply troubling,” the statement said. It explained that Father McCormick informed the Archdiocese on Feb. 24 that he had […]
Bishop DeSimone celebrates 90th birthday at St. Monica Parish
It was a full church for the Saturday vigil Mass at St. Monica Church in South Philadelphia on Feb. 18 when retired Auxiliary Bishop Louis A. DeSimone returned as the parish honored him for his 90th birthday on Feb. 21. Bishop DeSimone, who was pastor of St. Monica’s for a quarter century before his retirement, […]
La Salle College High School welcomes new principal
Michael A. O’Toole has been named principal of La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, effective July 1. “I am grateful to have a man of such caliber join our administrative team,” said Christian Brother Richard Kestler, who made the announcement Feb. 21. Joseph L. Marchese, current principal of the school, will step down at […]