This year has been a time of grieving, of repentance for the harm done to people at the hands of priests who were expected to be trusted spiritual leaders. It has also been a time for the heart of the Church to deepen its understanding of what victims/survivors have endured, and to reach out in news ways to help them heal spiritually.

The priest-administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Scott Township, in consultation with the parish festival committee, has announced the cancellation of this week’s parish festival due to a disturbing message.

Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh is scheduled to undergo a spinal fusion Monday morning August 5, at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Uptown.

Over and over and over, we grieve as a nation for the victims of mass shootings, praying for the souls of those who have died and for the long recovery of those with wounded bodies and broken hearts. Our prayers must also lead us to actions that will address the complex causes of these crimes.

In light of the rapidly declining enrollment and in response to a request from Father Steve Kresak, administrator of the grouping in which Saint Sylvester Parish and School are located, Bishop David Zubik has announced that Saint Sylvester School in Brentwood will not reopen for the 2019-2020 school year. Arrangements are in place to help its 57 students attend a neighboring Catholic school.

On May 18, Bishop David Zubik confirmed the first five parish mergers to result from the ongoing On Mission for The Church Alive! initiative, and recognized five church buildings in the Diocese of Pittsburgh as shrines.

I ask everyone to seek ways to bring help and hope to victims of religious persecution worldwide.

Following up on the promise in his recent pastoral letter, The Church Healing, Bishop David Zubik has appointed four key staff members for the new Secretariat for the Protection of Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults, which goes into effect on April 1, 2019.

Bishop David A. Zubik offers prayers and support after the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

January 22, 2019: The voluntary Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) for victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse that the Diocese of Pittsburgh established last month goes live today.

Reverend Kenneth R. Keene, Senior Parochial Vicar of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Saint John Neumann Parish and Sacred Heart Parish, Emsworth died Tuesday, January 1, 2019.  He was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1995.

Bishop David Zubik has placed Father James Downs on administrative leave following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor which the diocese received late yesterday.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh recently received an allegation that Brother David Trichtinger, F.S.C. sexually abused a student at Seton-LaSalle High School when he worked there as a counselor in the 1980s.

Everyone is welcome to attend the celebration, sponsored by the Latino Catholic Apostolate. The apostolate includes the parishes of Saint Regis, South Oakland; Saint Paul, Butler County; St. Catherine of Sienna, Beechview; Our Lady of Joy, Plum; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Meadow Lands; and Saints John and Paul, Wexford. Following Mass, everyone is invited to a reception in the cathedral social hall.

Bishop David Zubik has placed Father Joseph Feltz on administrative leave following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.

Reverend Edward M. Czemerda, age 63, Senior Parochial Vicar, St. Agnes Parish, Holy Trinity Parish both in West Mifflin, and Christ the Light of the World Parish, St. Joseph Parish both in Duquesne died, Saturday, November 17, 2018.  He was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1987

The crèche will be blessed by fellowship leaders at noon at the plaza and will remain up for viewing through January 7, 2019. 

On September 12, 2018, Bishop David Zubik placed Father Richard M. Lelonis, 73, on administrative leave pending further investigation into two allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

November 8, 2018: The Diocese of Pittsburgh is establishing an independently administered survivors’ compensation program to aid those who suffered abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy.