News
Archbishop welcomes West Catholic students back to school
Juniors and seniors returning to class Sept. 9 were greeted with fist bumps and a blessing from Archbishop Nelson Pérez, who stressed gratitude and hope amid ongoing COVID challenges.
Father Albert Santorsola, pastor of Delco parish, dies at 63
The South Philadelphia native served at several parishes and taught for years in Catholic high schools before leading St. Rose of Lima Parish, Eddystone in 2018.
Deacon Edward Hanley of St. Timothy Parish dies at 73
A retired SEPTA employee who was ordained a permanent deacon in 2006, Deacon Hanley served his Northeast Philadelphia parish by visiting the sick, teaching and writing on scripture.
Funeral rites set for Father Anthony Orth, pastor in Norwood
Ordained in 1975, Father Orth led St. Gabriel Parish in Delaware County and is well known for his volunteer ministry to the homeless and needy of Chester. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed.
Ministry asks faithful to step up for addiction recovery
Mercy Hospice, which supports women overcoming substance abuse, will join area outreaches for a virtual version of an annual walk celebrating sobriety.
A month after tragedy, South Phila. parish prays for Lebanon’s future
Faithful gathered at St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church to honor the victims of a deadly Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut, as part of a universal day of prayer declared by Pope Francis.
Indian Catholics bid farewell to priest after annual Mass
Father Renny Kattel, co-chairman of Indian American Catholic Association, heard a prayerful send off by the group's leaders before leaving Philadelphia for a church in Dallas.
Report abuse learned in confession or go to jail, says Australian state
A new law requires priests in the state of Queensland to break the seal of confession to report child sex abuse to police or face three years in jail. A similar law is in place in four other states.
Proposed class-action suit claims negligence by Vancouver Archdiocese
The suit claims the archdiocese was "systematically negligent" in protecting parishioners from abuse by clergy. Three other Canadian dioceses face similar class-action suits.
Pope Francis will sign new encyclical in Assisi Oct. 3
The letter on the social, political and economic obligations that flow from a belief that all people are children of God will be signed on the eve of St. Francis' feast day.