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Catholic Church

Historic Paterson Catholic Church Closing Indefinitely Historic Paterson Catholic Church Closing Indefinitely
Historic Paterson Catholic Church Closing Indefinitely St. Michael Catholic Church in Paterson will be closed indefinitely beginning Friday, March 1, the Diocese of Paterson announced. The church, at 74 Cianci St. was built in 1929 at a cost of $175,000 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The land the church sits on was originally purchased by Methodists in 1836 before being purchased by the Catholic Church in 1903. Reasons for the closure included concern for the safety of the public and how to deal with the parish's debt, the diocese said. The diocese said it has supported the parish financially for 12 year…
Church Suspending Masses After Pastor Ousted Over Sexual Harassment Settlement In Baltimore Church Suspending Masses After Pastor Ousted Over Sexual Harassment Settlement In Baltimore
Church Suspending Masses After Pastor Ousted Over Sexual Harassment Settlement In Baltimore The fallout from Father Paschal Morlino's ousting from the Archdiocese of Baltimore continues to have long-ranging ripple effects for his former church. Last month, Morlino was suspended amid a settlement over sexual misconduct allegations, and this week, the Archdiocese announced that it will largely be shutting down one of the city's Catholic churches. Church officials announced that a pastor will not be named for Saint Benedict Church in Baltimore due to the limited number of clergy that is currently available for the ministry following Morlino's suspension.  As of Wednesday, Nov. …
Pregnant Out Of Wedlock: NJ Supreme Court Rules Teacher Can Be Fired Pregnant Out Of Wedlock: NJ Supreme Court Rules Teacher Can Be Fired
Pregnant Out Of Wedlock: NJ Supreme Court Rules Teacher Can Be Fired Nearly a decade after a New Jersey Catholic school fired one of its teachers for getting pregnant out of wedlock, a New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the school was within its rights. The Supreme Court ruled on Monday, Aug. 14 in favor of the Church of St. Theresa in Kenilworth, which fired Victoria Crisitello — a second grade art teacher — in 2014, after she told them she was pregnant out of wedlock. The school said that Crisitello had violated her employment agreement and fired her. The agreement requires teachers to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the discipline, no…
NJ Mayor Who Opposed Pride Flag Raising Ousted By Colleagues NJ Mayor Who Opposed Pride Flag Raising Ousted By Colleagues
NJ Mayor Who Opposed Pride Flag Raising Ousted By Colleagues A New Jersey mayor who allegedly called some fellow elected officials "not good Catholics" for supporting the raising of a rainbow flag during Pride Month was removed from office by members of his own party. The flag controversy ended up being the last straw for fellow Republicans who were already at war with now-former Rochelle Park Mayor Perrin Mosca over what they said was abusive behavior. Three who sit on the Township Committee voted 4-0 with Democrat Linda Boniface to oust Mosca earlier this week. Deputy Mayor Jennifer Appice took over as acting mayor following the work session vote …
Ex-Priest Stole Over $100K From Granby Church To Buy Power Tools, Video Games: DA Ex-Priest Stole Over $100K From Granby Church To Buy Power Tools, Video Games: DA
Ex-Priest Stole Over $100K From Granby Church To Buy Power Tools, Video Games: DA A former Hampshire County Roman catholic priest is accused of spending more than $100,000 of the parish's money to buy himself video games, a riding lawn mower, power tools, and more, officials said.  Tomasz J. Gorny, 43, of Amherst, will be arraigned on a charge of larceny over $1,200 on Friday, June 16, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said.  Gorny served as a priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby until the Diocese of Springfield began an internal audit after leaders noticed some accounting irregularities, authorities said. They turned ove…
Holy Quadrinity: Four New Priests Ordained By Newark Archdiocese Holy Quadrinity: Four New Priests Ordained By Newark Archdiocese
Holy Quadrinity: Four New Priests Ordained By Newark Archdiocese The Newark Archdiocese has four new fathers. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, ordained four men to the priesthood during a Rite of Ordination ceremony on Saturday, May 27 at Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The four new priests are Robert Burkot, JuHyun Andrew Lee, Bernardo Garcia and Frenel Phanford. Following their ordainment, the priests offered their first blessings to those in attendance. Father Burkot will be serving St. Paul of the Cross Church in Jersey, Father Lee will be serving Our Lady of Sorrows Church in South Orange, Father Garcia will be ser…
Temple Student Shot Dead: Jude Chacko Mourned In Philadelphia Temple Student Shot Dead: Jude Chacko Mourned In Philadelphia
Temple Student Shot Dead: Jude Chacko Mourned In Philadelphia Jude Chacko, a Philadelphia resident and Temple University alumnus, died on Sunday, May 28. He was 21.  Chacko was found with a gunshot wound to the head a Port Richmond street early on Sunday, Philadelphia police told Daily Voice.  He was placed in critical condition at Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead that evening, the department said. His death remains under police investigation. Chacko, loved ones wrote in an obituary posted to Facebook, was a Pennsylvania native and an active member of the Catholic Church.  He was a member of the 278th graduating class at Cent…
Scathing New Report Details Sexual Abuse In Baltimore Archdiocese Scathing New Report Details Sexual Abuse In Baltimore Archdiocese
Scathing New Report Details Sexual Abuse In Baltimore Archdiocese Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has released his office’s long-awaited investigative report into allegations of sexual abuse involving church leaders in Baltimore over the course of decades. On Wednesday, April 5, Brown released the redacted “Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore,” which represents the results of a four-year investigation into reports of sexual abuse and a subsequent coverup by Catholic Church officials. The report includes a list of abusers, a history of child abuse in Maryland, a summary of the cover-up, recommendations, and other informatio…
Beloved Former Teacher For Katonah-Lewisboro School District Dies Beloved Former Teacher For Katonah-Lewisboro School District Dies
Beloved Former Teacher For Katonah-Lewisboro School District Dies A former teacher who worked for schools in both Northern Westchester and Fairfield County has died.  Margaret "Peggy" Beccaria died on Sunday, Jan. 15 at the age of 85, according to her obituary.  A native of New Canaan, Beccaria graduated from high school there before attending college at Western Connecticut State University. She then became a teacher in Stamford.  During this time, she married her husband, Peter, in 1959, and then moved to Westchester County, settling in Pound Ridge where the couple raised their two children, Michael and Patrick.  After tak…
Man Tries To Set Fire To A Church Cross In Woodbury Man Tries To Set Fire To A Church Cross In Woodbury
Man Tries To Set Fire To A Church Cross In Woodbury A man tried to set fire to a cross in front of a Catholic church in Gloucester County, authorities said. Woodbury police are investigating the act of vandalism that took place at St Patrick's/Holy Angels church on Friday, Jan. 13. ALSO SEE: Suspect Tied to Several Church Vandalism Cases A suspect was taken into custody in Camden County, police said. Other local, county, and federal agencies also are investigating the incident.  Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Corrine Byerley at 856-845-0065.
Judge Rules To Seal Legal Battle On Release Of Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Report In Baltimore Judge Rules To Seal Legal Battle On Release Of Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Report In Baltimore
Judge Rules To Seal Legal Battle On Release Of Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Report In Baltimore A circuit court judge in Maryland has ruled that all proceedings tied to the release of Attorney General Brian Frosh's report depicting accusations of sexual abuse of hundreds of underage victims by members of the Archdiocese of Baltimore be sealed. Frosh has been pushing to release his office’s 463-page report, which identifies 158 priests who were either “credibly accused” of sexual abuse or who were accused and never publicly identified by the Archdiocese, including the identities of more than 600 victims. Though the Archdiocese said that it will not oppose the release of the report, a j…
Archdiocese Of Baltimore Paying Legal Fees For Group Looking To Block Sex Abuse Record: Report Archdiocese Of Baltimore Paying Legal Fees For Group Looking To Block Sex Abuse Record: Report
Archdiocese Of Baltimore Paying Legal Fees For Group Looking To Block Sex Abuse Record: Report Despite coming out publicly saying they will not oppose the release of Maryland AG Brian Frosh’s 463-page report depicting the sexual abuse of hundreds of victims, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is reportedly paying legal fees to a group seeking to do just that, according to a new WBAL report. In mid-November, Frosh filed a motion to release the report, which identifies more than 150 priests who were either accused of or identified as a possible sexual abusers, which the Archdiocese said last year it wouldn’t stop, promising transparency. Earlier story - Archdiocese Of Baltimore Will Not Op…
Nebraska Priest Convicted Of Child Sex Assault Was Killed In South Jersey Hit-Run Crash: Report Nebraska Priest Convicted Of Child Sex Assault Was Killed In South Jersey Hit-Run Crash: Report
Nebraska Priest Convicted Of Child Sex Assault Was Killed In South Jersey Hit-Run Crash: Report A pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run crash in South Jersey was convicted of sexual assault of a child, NJ Advance Media reported. The crash victim, Paul F. Margand, 65, of Deptford Township, served as a Catholic priest in Nebraska in the 1980s before his conviction, the outlet said, citing a report by the Nebraska attorney general. Margand died on Thursday, Sept. 1 after being struck by a car while walking along Cattel Road at about 9:30 p.m., according to Deptford Township police. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. M…
PA Owner Of Ex-Catholic Church Uses 'Spell Book' To Set Car On Fire PA Owner Of Ex-Catholic Church Uses 'Spell Book' To Set Car On Fire
PA Owner Of Ex-Catholic Church Uses 'Spell Book' To Set Car On Fire Like a twisted Cinderella story, an escaped hospital patient and the owner of a business that supposedly was previously owned by the Catholic Church, lit a car on fire using a book of spells, and fled— leaving behind a shoe, authorities say. Kristy "Kat" Lynn Malzi, 47, of Hollsopple, reportedly went missing from a western Pennsylvania hospital on August 4, her mother concernedly told tribdem. Just days before, on July 30, Malzi went to a used car lot, BK Klassics in Stonycreek Township, to confront her ex-boyfriend, multiple outlets report citing a criminal complaint filed by police.  Dur…
Arsonists Set Fire To Bethesda Church In Dead Of Night, Officials Say Arsonists Set Fire To Bethesda Church In Dead Of Night, Officials Say
Arsonists Set Fire To Bethesda Church In Dead Of Night, Officials Say A fire that broke out in the middle of the night at a Montgomery County church is being probed as arson, officials said. Firefighters were called to the Saint Jane de Chantal Church on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda sometime after 2:30 a.m., for a fire in the main church, MoCo Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer said. Several pews in the main church area were damaged. No injuries reported. The church was founded in 1950 by Monsignor James A. Caulfield with a primary purpose of enabling parishioners to "live the life of Jesus Christ, to share their God-given talents for …
Popular Teacher From Bedford Dies At Age 52 Popular Teacher From Bedford Dies At Age 52
Popular Teacher From Bedford Dies At Age 52 A popular Northern Westchester third-grade teacher, Josephine “Josie” Calvaruso, has died at the age of 52. Calvaruso attended school in the Bronx and graduated from Fordham University with her bachelor’s in philosophy, her obituary said.  Soon after, she received her master’s from Fordham in teaching.  She was a teacher for 28 years, working first in the Bronx before later moving to work in Armonk at the Wampus Elementary School in the Byram Hills Central School District.  "Josie was a beloved teacher to all students she taught," her obituary said. "She was so loved by col…
Vandals Set Fire At Fairfax County Church, Spray Paint Abortion Graffiti: Police Vandals Set Fire At Fairfax County Church, Spray Paint Abortion Graffiti: Police
Vandals Set Fire At Fairfax County Church, Spray Paint Abortion Graffiti: Police Detectives are investigating arson and vandalism at a Fairfax County church over the weekend that they say is connected to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last week. Police said they would increase their presence around churches following this incident.  Firefighters were called to St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston early Sunday morning for a report of burning mulch outside of the 1190 Lawyers Road building, Fairfax County police said. Investigators believe they used an accelerant to start the fire.  Someone had also spray-painted a message on the entrance of t…
NJ Catholic Diocese Agrees To Pay Record $87.5M Cash Settlement To 300 Child Sex Abuse Victims NJ Catholic Diocese Agrees To Pay Record $87.5M Cash Settlement To 300 Child Sex Abuse Victims
NJ Catholic Diocese Agrees To Pay Record $87.5M Cash Settlement To 300 Child Sex Abuse Victims The Catholic Diocese of Camden has agreed to pay an unprecedented $87.5 million -- in cash – to 300 survivors of child sex abuse. The average payment to each of the survivors comes to roughly $290,000, plus whatever is later obtained from the southern New Jersey's diocese’s insurance companies, under the proposed bankruptcy settlement. That’s a sharp difference from a proposed settlement by the Boy Scouts of America, whose claimants stand to receive an average of about $31,000. “I want to express my sincere apology to all those who have been affected by sexual abuse in our diocese,” Bish…
Students In Poughkeepsie Barred From HS Playoff Game After Racial Taunts Students In Poughkeepsie Barred From HS Playoff Game After Racial Taunts
Students In Poughkeepsie Barred From HS Playoff Game After Racial Taunts The student section for a Hudson Valley high school playoff game will be quiet for an upcoming semifinal matchup after there were reportedly racist taunts lobbied at student-athletes. During the quarterfinal matchup between Dutchess County-based Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie and the Ossining High School girls basketball team, there were reports of alleged racist comments made toward players, prompting a swift response from education officials in the region. In response, Our Lady of Lourdes Athletic Director Bill Kyle issued an alert to the community advising that they wil…
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro Announces Bid For Governor Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro Announces Bid For Governor
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro Announces Bid For Governor Attorney General Josh Shapiro formally announced his bid for Pennsylvania governor on Wednesday. Shapiro, 48, is the first Democrat to enter the race, taking on the many Republican candidates who are already running for governor in the 2022 election. Among those are Lou Barletta, former U.S. representative, Charlie Gerow, conservative activist and vice-chair of the American Conservative Union, and William McSwain, former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Shapiro said in a two-minute campaign video there are already Republican candidates who "want to lead us down a da…
Vatican City, NJ Priests Using Hookup Apps Alarms Catholic Church Officials, Reports Say Vatican City, NJ Priests Using Hookup Apps Alarms Catholic Church Officials, Reports Say
Vatican City, NJ Priests Using Hookup Apps Alarms Catholic Church Officials, Reports Say A conservative Catholic media organization has published a series of reports claiming that priests at New Jersey churches and the Vatican have been using hookup apps. "The Pillar" collected and reviewed commercially available app signal indicating patterns on location-based hookup apps at more than 10 rectories within the Archdiocese of Newark between 2018 and 2020, the blog reported July 23. The data apparently shows evidence that "both homosexual and heterosexual hookup apps were used in parish rectories or other clerical residences with a frequency suggesting, in several cases, residence…
Historic Philadelphia Church Destroyed In Fire, Ruled Arson, $20K Reward Offered Historic Philadelphia Church Destroyed In Fire, Ruled Arson, $20K Reward Offered
Historic Philadelphia Church Destroyed In Fire, Ruled Arson, $20K Reward Offered The fire that destroyed the historic St. Leo's Catholic Church in Philadelphia's Tacony neighborhood was intentionally set, according to fire officials. The fire broke out at the St. Leo The Great Roman Catholic Church on Keystone Street and Unruh Avenue at approximately 5:15 p.m. and burned through most of the building in two hours. A wrecking ball knocked down the remains of the building on Monday after the Keystone Street facing wall that remained, “posed an imminent danger to the neighborhood and prevented investigators from getting inside to try and determine the fire's cause,” the f…
NJ Man, 29, Studying To Become Priest Killed In NYC Hit-Run Crash NJ Man, 29, Studying To Become Priest Killed In NYC Hit-Run Crash
NJ Man, 29, Studying To Become Priest Killed In NYC Hit-Run Crash A 29-year-old man studying to become a priest was struck and killed in New York City by a drunken hit-and-run driver late Tuesday night, according to Catholic Church officials. Ngu Quoc Tran, who went by Peter, was walking on Manhattan’s East Side when he was struck by the driver, who was arrested after he car was involved in another collision, the Diocese of Metuchen said. Born and raised in the An Giang Province in the south of Vietnam, Tran moved to the U.S. in August 2017 and lived at the Saint John Vianney House of Discernment in Highland Park. Tran began pre-theology in Spring 2…
Hooked On Cajun: Central Mass Eatery Brings Flavors Of The South To New England Hooked On Cajun: Central Mass Eatery Brings Flavors Of The South To New England
Hooked On Cajun: Central Mass Eatery Brings Flavors Of The South To New England Online reviewers seem to agree, once you taste the food at NOLA Cajun Kitchen, you’ll be back again and again. NOLA opened in 2019 on West Boylston Street (Route 12) in West Boylston and serves authentic Cajun cuisine. Yelp foodie Kathy N. of Quincy said she drives nearly a half hour several times a week to get a bite at NOLA. “Since discovering this place I have not been able to take my eyes off of it,” Kathy N. said. “I don't know how they manage to perfect every dish every time I come. I live roughly 20-25 minutes away but the food I brought home was always warm and toasty when I got b…
Long Island Catholic Diocese Sells Headquarters for $5.2M After Filing Bankruptcy Long Island Catholic Diocese Sells Headquarters for $5.2M After Filing Bankruptcy
Long Island Catholic Diocese Sells Headquarters for $5.2M After Filing Bankruptcy The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island has sold its headquarters for $5.2 million in an effort to compensate its creditors. The property in Rockville Centre, at 50 North Park Ave., was purchased by Synergy Holding Partners, which includes a five-story office building and a parking lot, said Sean P. Dolan, director of communications for the Diocese.  As part of the agreement, the diocese will continue to occupy the building until August 31, while it completes its transition to new facilities.  The diocese, home to 1.4 million Catholics on Long Isla…
Catholic NJ High School Pair In Profane, Racist Video Draw Wrath, Shake Community Catholic NJ High School Pair In Profane, Racist Video Draw Wrath, Shake Community
Catholic NJ High School Pair In Profane, Racist Video Draw Wrath, Shake Community Two seniors at a respected Catholic Bergen County high school used a racial epithet and then cursed “Black Lives Matter” while downing shots in an offensive viral video that has brought widespread wrath on a shaken community. "Don't be snowflakes," one student from the all-girls Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township says, before the other utters a racial epithet during a 25-second clip recorded at a Valentine’s Day party in earshot of other underage teens. Laughter is heard, after which the second girl leans into the camera leans and repeats the epithet, then says "Black Lives Mat…
Pennsylvania AG Vows To 'Take On Big Fights' As He's Sworn Into Second Term Pennsylvania AG Vows To 'Take On Big Fights' As He's Sworn Into Second Term
Pennsylvania AG Vows To 'Take On Big Fights' As He's Sworn Into Second Term Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro was sworn in for his second term Tuesday in Harrisburg, officials announced. His swearing-in speech reflected on the big fights fought and won since taking office in 2017 -- and the ones to come in his second term.  “Four years ago, I was elected your Attorney General to fulfill the promise of this great agency, to work towards justice, and to take on the big fights, against the most powerful institutions, for every one of us," Shapiro said. "I went to every corner of Pennsylvania — all 67 counties — the very first year, to listen…The work go…
Popular Norwalk Pastor Dies Suddenly Popular Norwalk Pastor Dies Suddenly
Popular Norwalk Pastor Dies Suddenly A beloved longtime Fairfield County pastor died suddenly this week at the age of 68. Msgr. Walter C. Orlowski, the pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Norwalk, died Monday, Dec. 21, in Bridgeport, announced the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport.  “It is with a deep sense of sadness and of profound loss that we announce the passing of Msgr. Walter Orlowski, beloved pastor of St. Matthew Parish. His passing is an even more difficult Cross to bear for his parish family and all those who loved him, coming as it has just a few days before Christmas,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. A Bridgeport n…
Diocese On Long Island Declares Bankruptcy After Sex Abuse Lawsuits Diocese On Long Island Declares Bankruptcy After Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Diocese On Long Island Declares Bankruptcy After Sex Abuse Lawsuits A Roman Catholic diocese on Long Island was forced to declare bankruptcy as it faces hundreds of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy members. The Diocese of Rockville Centre - one of the largest in the nation - filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday, Oct. 1 after more than 200 lawsuits were filed against them. “The financial burden of the litigation has been severe and only compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bishop John Barres, a leader at the diocese that serves 1.4 million Catholics on Long Island, said in a video posted online. “Our goal is to make su…
'Sex Slave' Priest Accused Of Drinking Boyfriend's Urine Found Dead In Jersey Shore Home 'Sex Slave' Priest Accused Of Drinking Boyfriend's Urine Found Dead In Jersey Shore Home
'Sex Slave' Priest Accused Of Drinking Boyfriend's Urine Found Dead In Jersey Shore Home The body of a former Bronx priest with a penchant for rough and kinky sex was found dead in his Ocean County home on Thursday, authorities said. Peter Miqueli, 58, attracted headlines in a 2015 lawsuit accusing him of paying $1,000-an-hour to mingle with a muscle-bound boyfriend whom he called "master" and drinking his urine during rough sex sessions, according to multiple news outlets. Miqueli resigned as a priest a year after the scandal broke. He was officially suspended by the Catholic Church last year, meaning he was barred from leading Mass or administering church sacraments. Br…
Catholic Church In Jackson Reverses Ban On 1st Holy Communion For Autistic Boy Catholic Church In Jackson Reverses Ban On 1st Holy Communion For Autistic Boy
Catholic Church In Jackson Reverses Ban On 1st Holy Communion For Autistic Boy After first saying that Holy Communion was delayed for a Manalapan boy with autism because he could not "distinguish ordinary bread from the body of Christ," a Jackson Township Catholic Church conferred with a bishop and reversed the ban.  Jimmy and Nicole LaCugna, a Manalapan couple, first announced here on Facebook Tuesday that the church said their 8-year-old son would be unable to receive his first Holy Communion due to the child having autism and being "unable to determine right from wrong." "Today Nicole and I were informed that our son Anthony would not be able to make his commu…