Press Releases
USCCB: Congress Urged To Act For Protection Of Religious Freedom And Conscience Rights In The District Of Columbia
March 20th, 2015By its recent approval of the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act (RHNDA) and the Human Rights Amendment Act (HRAA), the Council of the District of Columbia ran afoul of federal law and constitutional principles, says a letter sent to Congress by six members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on March 20. The bishops are asking Congress to rescind these two pieces of legislation.
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary to Host First Lecture in Series on Religious Freedom
March 17th, 2015The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary are pleased to host the first of four lectures in the John Cardinal Krol Chair Lecture Series on Continuing the Search for Religious Freedom: Fifty Years after Vatican II’s Dignitatis Humanae.
World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Commissions Production of Films on September Events and Papal Mass
March 16th, 2015The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 announced today that it has commissioned History Making Productions (HMP) to produce two documentary films related to the World Meeting of Families Congress and Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia. These films will be marketed for sale via DVD and digital download.
Archdiocese to Honor Two Groups at 2015 Distinguished Graduate Awards
March 16th, 2015The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will honor two remarkable groups who have contributed tirelessly to Catholic education in the Archdiocese with its 2015 Distinguished Graduate Awards. The event honors recipients whose vision, generosity, and shared commitment to living a Catholic life have inspired an appreciation for Catholic education
Saint Anne’s Senior Community Center to Kick Off Spring Season with Gardening Project
March 13th, 2015The Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Catholic Healthcare Services’ Saint Anne’s Senior Community Center will kick off the spring season with volunteer projects at Greensgrow.
Archbishop Chaput to Celebrate 18th Annual Cultural Heritage Mass
March 12th, 2015Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the 18th Annual Cultural Heritage Mass. This Mass celebrates the rich history and cultural diversity among the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Archbishop Chaput’s Weekly Column: The Blessing of Persons Among Us with Special Needs
March 12th, 2015It’s a simple fact: Raising a child with disabilities can be difficult.
The real choice in accepting or rejecting a child with special needs is never between some imaginary perfection and imperfection. None of us is perfect. No child is perfect.
World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Announces Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for Historic Event
March 11th, 2015The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today announced the establishment of a comprehensive committee structure in advance of the World Meeting of Families Congress and historic visit of Pope Francis in September 2015. There will be 15 committees advising on myriad planning issues including liturgical development, combatting hunger and homelessness, and visitor experience among others.
Inclusion Act Receives Strong Support from Three USCCB Chairmen
March 9th, 2015Three chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gave strong support for the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2015. The Act would forbid the federal government, and any state receiving federal funds for child welfare services, from taking adverse action against a provider that, for religious or moral reasons, declines to provide a child welfare social service.
USCCB Officials Say Syrian Refugee Crisis at Tipping Point
March 6th, 2015The Syrian refugee crisis ¬–now totaling nearly 4 million refugees– has reached a “tipping point,” in which countries in the region are no longer able to handle the flow of refugees across their borders, warned U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) officials who recently traveled to the Middle East.