LATEST NEWS
Diocese responds to criticism from Attorney General
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro gave a newspaper interview today that criticized Bishop Alfred Schlert’s handling of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. Click on the headline for the Diocese’s response to The Allentown Morning Call.
St. Jerome Regional School Blesses New Educational Facility
After months of planning, meetings and projects, St. Jerome Regional School, Tamaqua blessed and dedicated its new educational facility to accommodate the school’s growing enrollment and to improve its mission “to live fearlessly through faith.”
Pennsylvania’s Bishops Pledge Support for Independent Sex Abuse Survivors’ Compensation Program
Diocese of Allentown Bishop Alfred Schlert and the other Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania issued the following statement this afternoon. Click on the headline above to read the statement.
Diocese Clarifies Information on Nave Lawsuit Settlement
A Florida lawyer, acting on behalf of a victim in Virginia who made allegations against Monsignor Francis Nave, sued Nave, the Diocese and Bishop Alfred Schlert. The settlement paid by the Diocese involved only the part of the suit against the Diocese and the Bishop.
Faithful Across Diocese Gather for Day of Prayer and Reparation
“I pray that the efforts of so many throughout our Diocese bring healing to all those who are hurting,” said Monsignor William Glosser.
Statement on Removal of Diocesan Priest
The Diocese of Allentown has received an allegation of sexual misconduct against Monsignor Edward Sacks dating back to the 1970s when he was assigned to the former Holy Name High School, Reading.
Church Sexual Abuse Incidents Have Declined in Recent Decades
Incidents of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church have declined sharply since their peak in the 1970s and 1980s, according to two national studies.
Response to lawsuit: Diocese already has reported allegations to law enforcement
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the eight Catholic Dioceses in Pennsylvania demanding that they release information about allegations of clergy sexual abuse. The Diocese of Allentown already has reported to law enforcement every allegation of clergy sexual abuse of which it is aware, and the Diocese published a list of all Diocesan Priests against whom there have been credible allegations of abuse of minors. Click on headline above for link to list.
Diocese to Open First Catholic Addiction and Recovery High School in Nation
The Diocese of Allentown will set national precedent in fall 2019 by establishing a Catholic high school for students battling addiction and participating in recovery from substance and alcohol abuse.
Principal Appointed at Kolbe Academy
Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert has appointed John Petruzzelli as principal of Kolbe Academy effective Oct. 1. Petruzzelli returns to the Lehigh Valley from St. Joseph Preparatory Academy in Philadelphia, where he served as principal since 2017. Prior to that leadership role, he spent seven years as principal of Bethlehem Catholic High School.
