Archdiocese of Philadelphia

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Father El-Tabchi is pressing charges against a man who attacked him at the rectory in Philadelphia, across the street from the St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church, at which he is the pastor, telling parishioners in a letter about the incident that “God is both merciful and just,” adding that “mercy without justice is dead, and justice without mercy is ruthless.”

UPDATE: Maronite Catholic priest recovering from injuries after attack at rectory in Philadelphia

Oct 10, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

A Maronite Catholic priest is recovering from injuries he suffered after a man attacked him at the rectory of his... Read more

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Pennsylvania priest spent $41K in parish funds on cellphone games, police say

Apr 29, 2024

By Daniel Payne

According to the parish records, nearly 2,200 transactions were related to a category of spending identified as “gaming.” Read more

The National Shrine of St. John Neumann at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia.

St. John Neumann, promoter of Catholic education in the U.S., is celebrated today

Jan 5, 2024

By ACI Prensa

Every Jan. 5 the Church celebrates the feast of St. John Neumann, Redemptorist missionary and fourth bishop of the city... Read more

Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishops-elect Keith Chylinski (left), Efren Esmilla, and Christopher Cooke.

Pope Francis appoints three new auxiliary bishops for Philadelphia Archdiocese

Dec 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis on Friday appointed Fathers ​​Keith Chylinski, Christopher Cooke, and Efren Esmilla as new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese... Read more

Bishop Timothy Senior, then-rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, leads a tree blessing ceremony for the Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Sept. 1, 2015.

St. Charles Seminary receives $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment to improve preaching

Oct 8, 2023

By Matthew Gambino

The Philadelphia-based seminary has received the largest single programming grant from a charitable foundation in its almost 190-year history. Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Archdiocese settles for $3.5 million in sex abuse lawsuit for deceased priest

Aug 10, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The lawsuit alleged that Monsignor John Close sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy in 2006 when he took classes at a... Read more

Bishop Michael Fitzgerald on the day of his consecration as a bishop on Aug. 6, 2010.

Auxiliary Bishop Michael Fitzgerald retires after 4 decades serving Archdiocese of Philadelphia

May 24, 2023

By Courtney Mares

With degrees in both civil and canon law, Fitzgerald served as the judicial vicar and the founding director of the... Read more

Kevin McGoldrick is a former priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia and former priest named in lawsuit alleging cover-up of rape

Apr 26, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

A woman is suing the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for covering up the “mass sexual abuse” of a priest who she... Read more

The Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia was elevated by the Vatican to the status of basilica this week.

Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia elevated to basilica  

Jan 29, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The Vatican recognized the Miraculous Medal Shrine, located in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, as the city’s second basilica.   Read more

At the Jan. 23, 2021 Philadelphia March for Life, Luke Parlee and his mother Terry of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Buckingham, Pennsylvania, displayed ultrasound images of his development at six and 33 weeks alongside his high school senior portrait.

Philadelphia Archdiocese pro-lifers doing ‘amazing things’ for life at all stages

Jan 20, 2022

By Gina Christian

As the nation marks almost 50 years of legalized abortion, pro-life advocates in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia say they’re committed... Read more

Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia. Courtesy photo.

Archbishop offers condolences to those mourning after Philadelphia fire

Jan 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

Following a fire in a Philadelphia apartment building that killed at least 13 on Wednesday, the city's archbishop offered condolences... Read more

Sharonell Fulton has fostered more than 40 children through Catholic Social Services.

City of Philadelphia to pay $2 million to Catholic foster care agency in settlement

Nov 23, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The city of Philadelphia will pay Catholic Social Services a $2 million settlement and reinstate their foster care contract after... Read more

Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S.; Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Perez; Msgr. Gerald Mesure, archdiocesan chancellor; and Father Sean Bransfield, vice chancellor, hold the official documents for the canonization cause of Father Bill Atkinson during the closing ceremony on Oct. 19, 2021.

Father Bill Atkinson canonization cause completes first phase, moves onto Rome

Oct 22, 2021

By Autumn Jones

Father Bill Atkinson, an Augustinian priest from Philadelphia who died in 2006, is one step closer in the cause for... Read more

Sharonell Fulton, one of the plaintiffs in Fulton v. Philadelphia who has fostered more than 40 children through Catholic Social Services

Philadelphia Catholic agency can once again help make foster care placements, after settlement with city

Sep 27, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is once again helping make foster care placements, following a legal settlement... Read more

Blase Cardinal Cupich of Chicago.

Chicago, Philly archdioceses tell priests not to provide religious exemption from COVID vaccines

Aug 19, 2021

By Joe Bukuras

The archdioceses of both Philadelphia and Chicago have instructed their clerics not to assist parishioners seeking religious exemptions from receiving... Read more

Religious freedom advocates express optimism after Fulton decision 

Jun 28, 2021

By Kate Scanlon

Religious freedom advocates on Monday applauded a recent Supreme Court decision, arguing it heralds a positive outlook for religious freedom... Read more

Supreme Court sides unanimously with Catholic Social Services in religious freedom case

Jun 17, 2021

By Kate Scanlon

The Supreme Court on Thursday decided unanimously in favor of Catholic Social Services in its lawsuit against the city of... Read more

Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia

Philadelphia archbishop: ‘Nothing compares’ to being physically present at Sunday Mass

May 25, 2021

The Archbishop of Philadelphia this week invited Catholics back to Sunday Mass, emphasizing the importance of in-person attendance.  Read more

A resident of St. Philomena Cottage, a new home for young adults with disabilities of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Photo courtesy St. Edmond's Home for Children.

Philadelphia archdiocese opens home for young adults with disabilities

Nov 25, 2020

By Perry West

A Philadelphia bishop last month blessed Saint Philomena Cottage, a new archdiocesan home for young adults with disabilities.  Read more

Archbishop Nelson Perez. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Philadelphia archbishop offers prayers, calls for peace after days of unrest

Oct 30, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia has offered prayers for the family of a man recently killed in a police shooting,... Read more