Free Republic

Washington D.C., Jun 14, 2023 / 10:30 am An event advertised as a “Pride Mass” scheduled to take place on the feast of Corpus Christi at Pittsburgh’s Duquesne University was canceled after the diocese’s bishop, David Zubik, disavowed the event in a letter sent May 31. The event was canceled by university officials, according to WESA, Pittsburgh’s NPR station. Representatives from the private Catholic university declined to confirm with CNA if they were responsible for canceling the event. Instead, university officials forwarded Zubik’s letter that requested the Mass be canceled in light of the controversy. The Mass to which LGBTQ...

[Catholic Caucus] Pittsburgh diocese to regulate 'ad orientem' MassesThe Diocese of Pittsburgh is set to implement a new policy that will require priests to seek the bishop’s permission if they wish to celebrate the ordinary form of the Mass ad orientem. The policy, discussed during a Thursday meeting between Pittsburgh’s Bishop David Zubik and the diocesan presbyteral council, is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks. It will make Pittsburgh the latest U.S. diocese to regulate the ad orientem celebration of the Mass.The celebration of the Mass ad orientem is not regulated by Traditionis custodes, a 2021 policy promulgated...

The priests of St. Benedict the Moor Church in the Hill District hosted a prayer vigil Sunday, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The church was recently designated a “personal parish” to serve the Black community, and priests were assigned to the newly-formed parish only the day before. “We have a lot of work to do,” said the Rev. Thomas Burke, who was named pastor. “But know that I am here with you and for you.” Heat radiated off the pavement at Freedom Corner, and the sound of bongo drums filled the air. Starting at 1 p.m., dozens...

PITTSBURGH — Bishop David Zubik announced Friday that there will be a new parish in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, and it’s one that will specifically serve the black Catholic community. Following a listening session Feb. 23, the diocese started plans to develop a personal parish, which serves specific spiritual needs often related to a particular culture or an extraordinary need. On July 13, Saint Benedict the Moor Parish will officially fulfill that need. The church already exists in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood, but when Zubik visited earlier this year, parishioners told him about their 130-year history that allowed them...

A Catholic priest who admitted to giving a 16-year-old boy pornography and condoms during the 1980s was until three months ago still offering Mass in parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The Diocese of Pittsburgh was aware of the actions of this priest, Father Richard Terdine, but only removed him when it discovered his misconduct made it into the Pennsylvania grand jury report on more than 300 priests and minors they allegedly sexually abused. “You live and you learn sometimes,” said diocesan spokesman Monsignor Ronald Lengwin. “A Ministerial Assessment Board Report dated April 9, 2003 detailed an allegation that Father...