News Release

Effective immediately, and until further notice, Bishop Alfred Schlert, in union with the Bishops of Pennsylvania, has dispensed the faithful of the Diocese of Allentown from the obligation to attend Saturday Vigil/Sunday Masses.

Diocese of Allentown Catholic schools in Lehigh and Northampton Counties will be closed today and tomorrow out of an abundance of caution while the Diocese monitors the spread of coronavirus.

The Diocese offers its heartfelt prayers to the victim, to her family, and to everyone who was hurt as the result of Father Lonergan’s actions.

“The Holy Father reminds us of our shared responsibility to be good stewards of the earth which God created for us to properly use and protect.

A nationally known author and expert on school bullying will give a series of presentations for parents and children at Catholic schools around the Diocese of Allentown. The programs are free and open to the public.

“I offer my sincere congratulations to Archbishop-designate Nelson J. Perez on his appointment by Pope Francis as the next Archbishop of Philadelphia.

The Independent Oversight Committee has released an interim report on the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program, which is funded by the Diocese of Allentown to provide compensation for victims of clergy sexual abuse as one aspect of their healing.

Bishop Alfred Schlert has removed a diocesan priest from ministry after the priest was observed at a high school wrestling tournament taking photographs of wrestlers without their knowledge.

Because of years of financial distress and significantly declining attendance, the Diocese of Allentown will close St. Stephen Church in Port Carbon and merge the parish into St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Saint Clair.

Following today’s guilty plea by Father Kevin Lonergan, the Diocese of Allentown issued the following statement: