The vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) preserving an open Internet and preventing service providers from discriminating against content makers is a welcome move, crucial for allowing religions, including the Catholic Church, to communicate online, said Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, February 26.

In the wake of the brutal murders of twenty one Coptic Christians at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya, increased support to protect religious minorities and civilians should be combined with adequate humanitarian assistance and other assets, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace.

Philadelphians might say “finally noticed” — that the City of Brotherly Love is enjoying a major resurgence as an international urban center. Philadelphia is a city on the move; a city that “has greatly evolved economically and culturally since 2000,” revitalized by “celebrity chefs, a vibrant technology sector and [a] thriving art scene” - not to mention some of the finest universities, museums, medical centers and historical locations in the United States.

The World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015, the independent 501(c)(3) established to plan and stage a major international Congress addressing issues facing the family worldwide that will include a Papal visit in September 2015, confirmed today that a total of $30 million in cash and in-kind donations has been pledged to date in support of this historic gathering.

Congress should reaffirm the principle that government “should not force anyone to stop offering or covering much-needed legitimate health care” because of a conscientious objection to abortion or other procedures, said Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley of Boston and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist for Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Archdiocesan high schools and Catholic elementary schools in the City of Philadelphia will now be closed today, Tuesday, February 17, 2015 due to inclement weather conditions.

Father Louis J. Kolenkiewicz has been placed on administrative leave by Archbishop Chaput in response to concerns regarding his suitability for ministry. These concerns do not involve allegations of illegal or inappropriate contact with a minor, but constitute alleged violations of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries

A variety of resources to help Catholics observe Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, this year February 18, is being provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

In late 2014, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia published audited financial statements for The Office for Financial Services, its Pastoral Center entity, as well as other, separate entities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.