LATEST NEWS
Diocese of Allentown Reduces Staff, Takes Other Cost-Cutting Measures
To continue its charitable and pastoral mission throughout its five counties while freeing up funds to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse, the Diocese of Allentown has cut operating costs and is reducing its office work force by 24 percent.
Program Focuses on Catholic Response to Same-Sex Attraction
“We’re not responsible for born inclinations. We are responsible for how we act on them. “You can’t use the excuse ‘God made me this way,’” said Father Tadusz Pacholczyk, presenting “Welcoming in Truth and Charity: The Church’s Authentic Teaching on Same-Sex Attraction” at Berks Catholic High School, Reading.
Healing Our Church Wraps Up with Direct Questions, and Frank Answers, on Clergy Sexual Abuse
The small group meetings at the heart of “Healing Our Church” led to many discussions across the Diocese about clergy sexual abuse. They also raised many questions in the minds of parishioners. Bishop Alfred Schlert answered those questions by inviting participants to a series of six meetings in May and June, including one session conducted in Spanish.
‘Seek Always the Light of Christ’
A Frank Discussion on the Effects of Pornography on Children and Adults.
Bishop Schlert's Statement on Accountability Measures Approved June 13
Diocese of Allentown Bishop Alfred Schlert welcomes the new bishop accountability processes ratified by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at their meeting in Baltimore Thursday morning. “I was pleased to vote in favor of the proposals, and look forward to their implementation,” he said. “The strong will of the bishops to hold themselves accountable was shown by the near-unanimous votes in favor of all the measures.” Bishop Schlert made clear in November 2018 that he holds himself personally accountable. “I welcome independent and objective scrutiny as I work to fulfill my grave responsibility to prevent abuse and keep children safe,” he said in the pledge.
U.S. bishops take action to respond to church abuse crisis
The U.S. bishops approved a plan to implement the document issued in May by Pope Francis to help the Catholic Church safeguard its members from abuse and hold its leaders accountable. The implementation plan passed 281-1 with two abstentions.
‘Faith and Spirits’ Contemplates ‘St. Ignatius of Loyola and Discernment of Spirits’
“Ignatian spirituality is rooted in the experiences of St. Ignatius Loyola, a Basque aristocrat whose conversion to a fervent Christian faith began while he was recovering from war injuries,” said Father Christopher Walsh, pastor of St. Raymond, Philadelphia during “Faith and Spirits” at Braveheart Highland Pub, Hellertown.
28 Years of Shining Hope of Christ Through Grief
“On the Road to Emmaus, Jesus was present to the disciples, just as he is present to us,” said Father Jim Torpey, celebrant and homilist at the liturgy. Father Torpey is advisor to the We Are Remembered Ministry and instrumental in its 1991 founding in the Diocese.
Because We Are Catholic: Giving Blood is The Gift of Life to Our Community
Blood donors save lives, and the people at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Orefield were honored recently for their life-saving blood donation efforts.
Thomas Flynn Retiring After 14 Years as President of Alvernia
An important and successful chapter in the history of Alvernia University, Reading will draw to a close Sunday, June 30 with the retirement of Dr. Thomas Flynn, Alvernia’s longest-serving president who guided the college during 14 years of transformative leadership.
