IMAGE: CNS photo/Steve Nesius, Reuters By ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Orlando Bishop John G. Noonan urged people of faith “to turn their hearts and souls” to God and pray for the victims, the families and first responders following the worst … Continue reading
Author Archives: Editor
Extreme poverty is a reality, not a faceless statistic, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves ROME (CNS) — The key to ending extreme poverty and hunger is to recognize that behind every statistic, there is the face of a person who is suffering, Pope Francis said. “Poverty has a face! It … Continue reading
Pope offers prayers for Orlando victims of 'terrible, absurd violence'
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis offered prayers for the families of the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando and expressed hope that people would find ways to identify and uproot “the causes of such terrible … Continue reading
Byzantine Catholics a presence at annual Ohio festival
‘Simply Slavic’ in 6th year of celebrating shared and unique traditions. The 6th Annual “Simply Slavic” Ethnic Heritage Festival will be held Saturday June 18. This regional event held in downtown Youngstown, Ohio promotes the diverse Slavic populations of Mahoning … Continue reading
Catholic Assistance for Sex Abuse Survivors
“I am deeply sorry. God weeps,” said Pope Francis last September after meeting with several sexual abuse survivors during his visit to Philadelphia. All of us in the Catholic community must do what we can to understand the pain, anger, … Continue reading
Get ready for Faith & Fun!
9th Annual day for altar servers. It’s time again for the Office of Vocations to host “Faith & Fun Day” for active Altar Servers on WEDNESDAY, JULY 20. The day will begin with Registration in the social hall of Holy … Continue reading
Attention all Cantors
All voices welcome to lead 2016 pilgrimage services. It is now almost summer, and the year-round planning process continues for the 82nd Annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mount Saint Macrina in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. As singing is … Continue reading
Bishop John Pazak, CSsR enthronement date
Bishop John Pazak, CSSR enthronement date set newly appointed head of Phoenix Eparchy to begin his tenure July 20. Bishop John S. Pazak, CSSR, who on May 7 was named by Pope Francis as the new bishop of the Byzantine … Continue reading
Love, not some idea of perfection, leads to happiness, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Love and solidarity are what make the world a better place, not a focus on physical perfection and hiding away those who do not fit a commercial ideal, Pope Francis … Continue reading
Panel of experts address Clergy Days participants: sexual abuse laws, financial reporting, legal issues among presentations
Clergy from all corners of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh once again converged at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. for Presbyteral (Clergy) Days. Held Tuesday May 31 and Wednesday June 1, the annual Spring meeting brings together parish pastors, administrators, deacons and retired priests for the dissemination of information, group discussion, and collegial fellowship essential to pastoral life.
Communications Director for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC), Amy B. Hill was the first speaker of the 2016 Clergy Days convocation. She covered the very sensitive and emotionally charged topic of child sexual abuse and shared information regarding the Statute of Limitations (SoL) on reporting abuse in Pennsylvania (House Bill 1947). Hill emphasized that the Catholic Church is not at all opposed to accepting responsibility for abuse that happened in the past. “This is not a debate between the Church and survivors of abuse,” she said, adding that in actuality it is about priests, churches, parishioners being held responsible for paying hefty, financially devastating judgments resulting from lawsuits.
“The bottom line here is not the money – it is that children were hurt. We agree that if a child was hurt, then the perpetrators must be brought to justice,” Hill reasoned. “However, is the money settlement really going to make the issue any better when it bankrupts entire faith communities?”
Continuing the child abuse laws and reporting discussion was Attorney Cathy Chromulak, Legal Counsel for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
