News
Congratulations to priest jubilarians, new priests of 2021
Priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are celebrating significant anniversaries of their ordination this year. See our list of 29 priests.
South Phila. parish dedicates shrine to addiction recovery patron
St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia has created a special place for prayer to Venerable Matt Talbot, whose journey from substance abuse to spirituality has inspired thousands to seek sobriety.
In Gaza, tiny Catholic community tries to stay in touch during airstrikes
Palestinians including Christians are "very used to war," said a parish priest, citing people's anxiety because they are "closed in, night and day, with the bombings." Children, he said, are developing behavioral problems.
Bishops urge Catholics to sign petition against Hyde Amendment’s repeal
Diocesan Respect Life coordinators and the Pro-Life Secretariat of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are encouraging Catholics to speak out against the repeal of legislation that bans federal Medicaid funding of abortions.
Gloria Purvis to host new podcast on America Media
Purvis, whose weekday radio show was abruptly canceled without notice by EWTN, is launching a new podcast in May via America Media, the Jesuit communications ministry.
Pope Francis accepts resignation of Polish bishop accused of cover-up
The Polish bishops' conference said the Vatican had investigated "reported negligence" of a diocesan bishop who reassigned a priest who had propositioned boys and was arrested for possessing child porn.
As Israeli-Palestinian violence escalates, Christian leaders voice concern
Violence has been flaring in Jerusalem, including in a neighborhood where dozens of Palestinians are under threat of eviction from Jewish settlers, which the Latin patriarchate called "an unacceptable violation."
Catholics join scientists in asking Biden to end threat of nuclear weapons
A group of advocates urged President Joe Biden to seek a new agreement with Russia to continue reducing nuclear weapon stockpiles and work worldwide to achieve their abolition.
Vaccine clinics reach deaf, hard of hearing
The Philadelphia Archdiocese recently teamed up with federal, city and community agencies to bring Pfizer and Moderna doses, along with sign language interpreters, to an underserved population.
Being a catechist is a vocation, pope says in establishing formal ministry
Calling for formal recognition of lay men and women who by their baptism work to teach the faith, Pope Francis has instituted the "ministry of catechist." In the Philadelphia Archdiocese, more than 4,000 lay persons serve as catechists.