Category: 2026 News

ARCHBALD – In a community that is at the center of the growing debate over artificial intelligence and data centers in northeastern Pennsylvania, the local Catholic parish recently turned to Pope Leo XIV for guidance.

Christ the King Parish in Archbald hosted a panel discussion Sept. 23 examining the impact of artificial intelligence on faith, health and the local community, using Pope Leo’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, as its guide.

Released in May, Pope Leo’s encyclical calls the Church and the broader world to approach rapidly developing technology through the lens of human dignity, conscience, freedom and the common good.

Father Ryan Glenn, Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Archbald, said the conversation was timely because of the ongoing discussions surrounding proposed data centers in his community.

“There is a lot of debate, a lot of dialogue, a lot of discord over that in our borough where our parish is located,” Father Glenn said. “I thought it was really important for the parish, on behalf of the Church, to provide a forum where we could think, discuss and really hear from the mind and the heart of the Church.”

The panel brought together Father Glenn, Megan Ossont, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor of nursing at The University of Scranton, and Megan Heeder, assistant professor of theology at the University.

The discussion explored both the opportunities and concerns surrounding AI, but repeatedly returned to a central question raised by Pope Leo.

That question is: Does technological progress ultimately make human life more human?

Heeder said that question from Magnifica Humanitas has become an important starting point for discernment because society does not yet have all the answers about where artificial intelligence will lead.

“We don’t really have a blueprint for best and worst decisions, particularly because in local communities the realities can be so different,” Heeder said.

For Ossont, the implications are especially significant in health care, where AI is increasingly being considered as a tool for diagnosis, decision-making and patient care.

“It can be a helpful tool, but it does not replace human critical thinking for diagnostics or the human experience of care,” Ossont said.

She believes that discernment will be critical for the next generation of health care professionals.

“If we can have the next generation of healthcare providers discern the appropriate use of AI, it can really help start to slow down that trend of replacing human providers with AI,” Ossont added.

Heeder noted that the Church’s concern extends beyond individual applications of technology.

“You lose the human connection behind all of this,” she said. “Providing care to someone is so much more than simply providing a diagnosis.”

That emphasis echoes Pope Leo’s broader message that AI must remain at the service of the human person rather than reducing people to data, productivity or performance.

Father Glenn said another major concern with the use of AI is that it isolates people.

“We believe that a (church) community is a response to that isolation and to that individualism,” he said, pointing to worship, the Eucharist, the sacraments, fellowship and opportunities for education and formation.

The Sept. 23 panel discussion was funded through a Social Justice Grant from the Diocese of Scranton’s Catholic Ministries Appeal. The conversation will continue with an encore presentation at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at The University of Scranton, offering another opportunity for people (especially college students) to consider Pope Leo’s challenge in an increasingly technological age.

As Heeder left the first session, she said the gathering offered a hopeful sign.

“To be able to discuss this together in a place where questions about AI and data centers are so pressing for the daily lives of so many people, it’s just a really beautiful sign of hope,” Heeder said. “And a sign of the Church’s continued ability to speak to the realities that we’re facing now.”

LAFLIN – A beloved annual tradition of prayer continued this year in a new location as faithful from across the Diocese of Scranton gathered for the annual Rosary Novena at the Oblates of Saint Joseph Chapel.

Held Oct. 3-11, the nine-day Novena brought the faithful together each evening for the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament and a spiritual reflection from a priest or deacon.

The theme of this year’s Rosary Novena was “To Jesus through Mary.”

For many years, the annual Novena was held at Saint Lucy Parish in Scranton before moving to Divine Mercy Parish in Scranton recently. This year marked the first time the Novena has been held at the Oblates of Saint Joseph Chapel along Route 315 in Laflin.

For those who have made the Rosary a regular part of their lives, gathering with others to pray each October has become special.

“It’s good to know that I’m not alone and that there are people doing the same thing and praying along with me,” Frank Barbrie of Communion of Saints Parish in Pittston said. “It’s special. You get a good feel of the Holy Spirit.”

Stephen Englot of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Swoyersville said he and his family have prayed the Rosary at home for many years, but there is something different about joining others in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

“Sometimes when you say prayers at home you wonder, are we the last ones doing this?” he said. “You look around here and see the intense concentration and piety and it just restores our faith that God is working through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.”

Joan Marzen of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Dupont was particularly encouraged to see many young people participating this year.

“It was absolutely beautiful and inspiring. We need all the prayer that we can in this world,” she said.

For Marzen, the Rosary is a reminder that hope remains even amid a troubled world.

“It shows that there is hope,” she added. “There is hope for us in this world. Never give up.”

For Englot, the experience of praying together offered a glimpse of something even greater.

“The feeling is almost supernatural,” he said. “You’re just in union with the Spirit. Peace and community. It’s almost like a taste of what heaven will be like when we’re praying face to face with our Lord.”

HARRISBURG – Bus after bus rolled into Harrisburg on Sept. 21, 2026, bringing young adults, families and pro-life advocates to the State Capitol to take part in the sixth annual Pennsylvania March for Life.

Media members estimated about 6,000 people participated in this year’s event, making it the largest crowd yet. The Pennsylvania Family Institute said approximately 70 buses were scheduled to bring participants from every corner of the commonwealth, which was also a record.

Mike Kilmer was on one of two buses that came from Bradford County. He has attended all the previous Pennsylvania marches and said the growth has been unmistakable.

“It has been growing,” Kilmer said. “We feel that abortion is the greatest abomination that has ever happened in our country … it is a felony if you destroy an eagle’s egg, but you can kill a human being in the womb at any time, in eleven states, up until birth. That’s not even logical.”

Kilmer said the shift of the pro-life movement’s focus toward state capitols following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has made gatherings such as the Pennsylvania March increasingly significant.

Numerous buses from the eleven counties of the Diocese of Scranton were among those counted in attendance figures.

A Diocesan-sponsored bus made stops in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, while additional buses carried participants from the Northern Tier, the Poconos and Hazleton. Others made the trip on their own, making for a strong local presence in Harrisburg.

For many, the most striking part of the day was not simply the size of the crowd, but the number of young people participating.

“This is my first time and I’m really glad I came. I thought it was really beautiful,” Katelyn Torres, a young parishioner of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Scranton, said. “I never realized how big ‘pro-life’ really was until I came here.”

As she left the March for Life, Torres said she has hope for her generation.

“I’m going to invite my friends and tell my friends about what I saw today,” she added. “I think a lot of people (my age) should get to experience this.”

Lexi Villarreal, who lives in Scranton and also attends Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, said she was surprised by the number of participants.

“I expected a lot less,” she said.

Instead, she found herself surrounded by a crowd so large that participants were “bumping into each other” as the march got underway.

“That really amazed me, how many people there was,” Villarreal said.

Colleen Eisley, a Jersey Shore native and senior theology and marketing major at Saint Francis University, attended a previous March for Life and returned to Harrisburg this year with fellow students.

“It’s just a beautiful way to be involved in our state and local community and stand for life,” Eisley said. “We’re standing for life on campus and in our community. I think that it’s our responsibility to stand up for life, to stand up for the babies and their moms.”

Other young participants came to Harrisburg looking to learn as well as provide witness.

For Kimberly Munoz-Jimenez, a senior from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, the experience was an opportunity to become more informed.

“I wanted to experience it to see what it was like,” she said. “Also, to bring awareness and get myself informed, so I can help others as well.”

Katelyn Moses, a King’s College sophomore, said she was excited when her school decided to participate.

“It is something that is difficult to be bold in, and I’ve decided with change in my life, I changed to a theology major, so I really want to make that boldness a big part of my life. So, I want to stand up and stand with life,” Moses said.

The call to “be bold” and carry the experience of the March for Life beyond Harrisburg was a central theme of a morning rally before the march itself.

Michael Geer, President of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, reminded participants that witnessing for life requires more than showing up for one day.

“It requires ongoing persistent action: praying, voting, engaging,” Geer explained.

Pro-life leader Jeannie Lichter similarly told the crowd, “It matters so much what you do when you leave here!”

She challenged participants to speak about the dignity of human life, advocate for pro-life laws and policies and – perhaps most importantly – “walk with moms” by supporting women and families facing difficult pregnancies.

Pennsylvania law currently permits abortion through the 23rd week of pregnancy, with additional restrictions after 24 weeks except when two physicians certify that the pregnant woman’s life or health is seriously endangered.

Dr. Monique Ruberu, an OB/GYN and Board Member of 40 Days for Life, insisted there is never any medically necessary abortion.

“There are amazing physicians who are trained specifically to take care of moms with medical complications, maternal fetal medicine specialists, who walk with these moms. Their job is to take care of the mom and the baby. Because there are two patients in every pregnancy,” Dr. Ruberu said. “Don’t stand for the nonsense when people say it’s a ‘medically necessary procedure.’ It is not!”

SCRANTON – From her lector seat in the sanctuary of the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Cindy Cox was able to look out and see all the faces gathered at the Diocese of Scranton’s annual Respect Life Sunday Mass.

What she saw moved her.

“As I was sitting up there from the lector chair and I looked out, I was overwhelmed by the amount of love and support that was out there showing how this community really does respect life,” the Executive Director of the Scranton Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, said.

That witness was at the heart of the celebration on Oct. 4, 2026, as Catholics from throughout the Diocese of Scranton gathered with the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, to reflect on the Church’s call to defend and care for human life at every stage.

The theme for Respect Life Month 2026 is “Mary, Mother of God,” highlighting the Blessed Mother’s willingness to welcome Jesus into her life and her faithful presence with Him through his death on the Cross.

In his homily, Bishop Bambera challenged those in attendance not simply to profess a belief in the sanctity of life, but to demonstrate it through the way they treat others.

“Every one of us has been given a portion of God’s vineyard to cultivate,” Bishop Bambera said, reflecting on the Gospel for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. “The vineyard – God’s creation entrusted to our care – is not remote. It is not contrived or make believe. The vineyard is as close as the home you return to after this Mass. It is as close as the nearest nursing home, clinic, prison or school. It is here – in his people, made in his own image and likeness – all around us.”

The Bishop urged the faithful to reject any tendency to value some lives more than others, reminding them that respect for human dignity must extend from “conception to natural end.”

“Respect for the dignity of every human being must be upheld and witnessed to always, even when such a stance places us in opposition to popular values, political expediency and the tide of today’s evolving cultural norms,” he continued.

Bishop Bambera connected that call to the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose “yes” to God came at a moment she could not fully understand or anticipate.

“In becoming the mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother, becomes the mother of life. Her acceptance in that unplanned and unforeseen moment demonstrates how each of us is called to welcome the gift of human life, even when that gift is unexpected or calls us to make sacrifices,” he said.

Bridget Maille, Program Coordinator for Family Life in the Diocese of Scranton, said the annual Respect Life Sunday Mass not only offered an opportunity for people to pray for the protection of life, but to recognize the many people and organizations already working to cherish life.

Representatives from Pennsylvanians for Human Life, the Order of the Alhambra, and Catholic elementary and high school students all participated in the Mass.

“Each of these organizations and groups, each and every day, work toward respecting life,” Maille said.

Cox said the commitment of the organization she leads extends far beyond defending unborn life.

“We believe that life is precious from the moment of conception,” she said, while also noting the work of accompanying families facing hardships, individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, the elderly, those in nursing homes and the critically ill.

“As pro-lifers, we want to create a culture that supports, loves and protects all life, whether it is somebody in the womb or someone at the end of their life,” Cox said. “We’re called to walk with each other through the darkest of times and be there for each other.”

CLARKS GREEN – For more than 140 parishioners of Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, and the Church of Saint Gregory, Clarks Green, the last Saturday of September was a day to roll up their sleeves, lend a hand and put their faith into action.

The two parishes joined together for their annual Day of Service on Sept. 26, 2026, taking on approximately a dozen projects throughout the Abingtons and Scranton community.

“Our Day of Service is an opportunity for our communities to come together as one family, to serve a common purpose and add to our story of faith and service,” Dan Marx, Director of Music and Mission, said.

The parishes, which are currently linked and are in the process of coming together as one parish family, have embraced the motto “Pilgrimage to Pentecost” as a way of marking their journey toward unity. Throughout the coming months, they are intentionally creating opportunities to pray, worship, serve and celebrate together.

The annual Day of Service is an important part of that journey.

At the Church of Saint Gregory, parishioners gathered for “Confections Connections,” packing 50 boxes of homemade baked goods.

The treats, many of which were prepared by parishioners at home, were distributed to local nursing homes and about 25 homebound parishioners.

Other volunteers bagged groceries at Gerrity’s to raise money for Saint Francis Commons Veterans Home in Scranton which is operated by Catholic Social Services. Others participated in various activities at CHOP Out Hunger, The Pines, Clarks Summit Senior Living and elsewhere.

The number of projects was intentional, allowing people of different ages, interests and abilities to find a way to serve.

“Everyone plays a part in serving our community,” Marx added. “There is no talent or skill or amount of energy that is too small or too insignificant to make a difference.”

Thomas Kneiss, who attends Mass at the Church of Saint Gregory, said the importance of the day went beyond the work itself.

“You get to meet more people,” he said. “In Mass, usually it’s just someone around you that you might say hello to. Here, you connect with them.”

Kneiss said service is also an important way to put his Catholic faith into action.

“I think you have to do more than just come to church and pray and receive the sacraments,” Kneiss continued. “The idea is to live out that faith that Jesus Christ said – to go out and help your fellow people – no matter who they are.”

That sentiment was shared by Noreen Blewitt who attends Mass at Our Lady of the Snows Parish. She helped to pack boxes of baked goods for distribution.

“It is such a good feeling. It’s the camaraderie of the group that is participating,” Blewitt said. “To do something like this, you realize the great need that there is in our community and beyond.”

The annual Day of Service is another example of what the two parishes are calling “Our Common Story” – recognizing that while each parish has its own history and traditions, its people already share so much in common.

“Our story – the stories that we share, the stories that we hold onto and embrace – there is so much more common about them than different,” Marx said.

BALLINA, Ireland – A nine-day Diocesan pilgrimage to Ireland, led by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, offered more than 50 travelers an opportunity to deepen their faith while exploring the country’s rich Catholic heritage and learning more about longstanding connections to northeastern Pennsylvania.

Organized in partnership with TravelWorld, the pilgrimage took place Sept. 20-28, 2026, with stops in Dublin, Ballina, Westport, Galway, Connemara, Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Blarney and other destinations.

Besides the Bishop, the pilgrimage group included Father Gerald W. Shantillo, Vicar General of the Diocese of Scranton; Father Andrew Hvozdovic, Diocesan Coordinator of Pilgrimages; and Father Jeffrey Tudgay, Pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Immaculate Conception Parishes in Scranton.

One of the trip’s most significant highlights was a visit to Ballina, County Mayo, Scranton’s sister city since 1990.

On Sept. 22, Bishop Bambera and the pilgrims celebrated Mass at Saint Muredach’s Cathedral before visiting the Clarke Museum of Irish History, where they met local civic and tourism representatives and learned more about the generations of family, cultural and community connections linking the two communities.

The pilgrimage also included a visit to the Father Peyton Center in Attymass, which shares the life and mission of Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C. Born in Ireland in 1909, Father Peyton became internationally known for promoting family prayer and maintained important ties to Scranton, where he worked at the Cathedral of Saint Peter before entering the seminary.

The pilgrimages also visited the Knock Shrine, one of the world’s major Marian pilgrimage sites, commemorating the reported apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1879. Other highlights included the scenic Connemara region, Mass at Galway Cathedral, the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle.

The pilgrimage concluded with a visit to Dublin, where the group celebrated Mass at Saint Mary’s Pro Cathedral on Sept. 27, the final full day of the journey.

BRODHEADSVILLE – More than 1,200 Hispanic Catholics from parishes around the Diocese of Scranton gathered in Monroe County on Sept. 19, 2026, to celebrate their faith, culture and heritage.

The sixth annual Hispanic Heritage Mass and celebration brought together families and faithful at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Brodheadsville under the theme “Unidos Somos Más – United We Are More.”

The event began with Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and concelebrated by 17 priests.

In his homily, Bishop Bambera reflected on Jesus’ parable of the sower, encouraging those gathered to continue planting seeds of faith through their words, actions, service and witness.

“There will always be challenges to our efforts to nurture the seeds of faith that we sow in our world,” Bishop Bambera said. “But by the grace of God, those seeds will take root and will yield a harvest far greater than we might ever believe possible.”

He encouraged Hispanic Catholics to remain united in faith, particularly during difficult times.

“In your willingness to sow the seeds of faith and to live the values of the Gospel, you provide hope to many,” the Bishop continued. “And that, my friends, is all that the Lord asks any of us to do – for together we are more than when we stand alone.”

Nereida Cruz, a parishioner of Saint Nicholas/Saint Mary Parish in Wilkes-Barre, said the celebration provided an important reminder of that unity.

“It is very nice to come together and celebrate the same faith – the Catholic faith,” Cruz said. “It is very nice to see how each country brings a little bit of its culture and a little bit of their beliefs.”

Father Neftali Feliz Sena, Assistant Pastor of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina Parish in Hazleton, said the gathering demonstrated how the Catholic faith transcends language and cultural differences.

“It doesn’t matter the language you speak,” he said. “We just get together as one Church. We all believe in Jesus, and we are the Catholic Church and everywhere we go, we all celebrate our faith.”

The celebration also emphasized passing that faith onto future generations.

“This is an opportunity to pass our faith to the new generation,” Nelson Anaya of Saint Nicholas/Saint Mary Parish in Wilkes-Barre said. “They have the opportunity to see how we got this faith from our grandparents.”

After Mass, a large outdoor festival with food, music, dancing and cultural activities brought the Hispanic parish communities together.

International Catholic evangelist and speaker Salvador Gomez also addressed the gathering, offering a message of faith and hope for families and young people.

The day ended with a youth soccer tournament. Four parish teams competed in the men’s tournament, with Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg capturing the championship. Three parish teams competed in the women’s division, won by Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Scranton.

Attendees hope the annual celebration will continue, and events might even be held outside Hispanic Heritage Month.

“It would be great to have these types of activities twice per year because we willingly want to share and we willingly want to have a great time,” Anaya said.

WILLIAMSPORT – While there were no traditional classes held at Saint John Neumann Jr./Sr. High School on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, the school campus was still filled with first responders, emergency medical personnel and plenty of students.

It was the first ‘Innovative Friday’ at the Williamsport Catholic school as its new four-day academic model takes shape.

This year, students in grades 6 through 12 now attend classes Monday through Thursday, with extended school days to meet required instructional hours. Fridays are reserved for enrichment, tutoring, field trips, career exploration, service opportunities, and other experiences that extend learning beyond the traditional classroom.

For the inaugural ‘Innovative Friday,’ the school hosted an Emergency Preparedness and Safety Day, bringing together representatives from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), South Williamsport Fire Department, Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Department, Williamsport Bureau of Fire, Clearview Asset Protection, NOAA Weather Safety, PPL, Pennsylvania State Police, Williamsport Police and the Lycoming County Emergency Management Agency.

Students were encouraged to visit each agency’s outdoor station, learning everything from CPR to electrical safety, while also having the opportunity to tour emergency vehicles.

“Students don’t have to be here today and yet they’re here, they’re having fun and they’re learning about things,” Dr. Chad Greevy, Assistant Principal and Curriculum Director, said. “You don’t have to learn always in a school setting.”

The optional nature of the day was what made it significant.

Seventh-grader Zale McPherson appreciated the flexibility the ‘Innovative Friday’ schedule provided. After missing school earlier in the week, she was able to use the day to make up tests, quizzes and homework without sacrificing additional classroom time.

“I think it’s a really good opportunity,” she said.

McPherson also enjoyed the chance to socialize with classmates, describing the day as a “different kind of learning experience.”

For ninth-grader Audrey Blenman, a new student who said the four-day schedule was one reason she chose Saint John Neumann, the first ‘Innovative Friday’ allowed her to experience something new.

“I want to be an engineer, so I’m not sure if there is a connection,” Blenman said after donning a hard-hat and getting a first-hand lesson in electricity from a PPL lineman. “It is something different.”

Since announcing its new four-day school week, Saint John Neumann Jr./Sr. High School has seen a 20 percent increase in enrollment.

“I absolutely love it. All the staff and students are so nice,” Dalila Morales, a brand-new eighth grader, explained. “You can really count on everyone in this school. They always have your back.”

The school even incorporated an incentive into their first ‘Innovative Friday.’ Students who visited each participating agency could have a card signed and they became eligible for prizes, including tuition vouchers, gift cards and school merchandise.

Principal Alicia McNamee said the response to the day exceeded her expectations.

“We are over the moon with the attendance and the feedback and the amount of community partners willing to come out and support us,” she said.

The school’s ‘Innovative Friday’ calendar is filled through the fall semester, and administrators are already developing opportunities for the spring.

“We have so many companies, businesses and individuals willing to partner with us, we almost don’t have enough Fridays,” McNamee added.

Students have also offered ideas for upcoming ‘Innovative Fridays,’ including learning American Sign Language and touring local hospitals.

“We’re offering students a lot of opportunity. We are not just in tune with what the students need, we’re starting to learn what their passions are,” Dr. Greevy said. “The list of ideas that they have for ‘Innovative Fridays’ is incredible.”

SCRANTON – An independent on-site audit has once again determined that the Diocese of Scranton is in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

StoneBridge Business Partners, an independent auditing firm based in Rochester, N.Y., recently completed an on-site audit of the Diocese’s child protection policies, procedures and records.

In a July 13, 2026, letter addressed to the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, StoneBridge reported that the Diocese was found compliant with all audited Articles within the Charter for the audit period of July 1, 2023, through March 31, 2026.

According to StoneBridge, the conclusions regarding the Diocese’s compliance were based on inquiry, observation and the review of specifically requested documentation provided during the course of the audit.

The audit examined the Diocese’s protocols related to training, reporting and maintaining safe environments for children and young people in accordance with the requirements of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The Diocese of Scranton has remained in compliance with the USCCB’s child protection requirements through every annual audit since the review process was established following the adoption of the Charter in 2002.

Bishop Bambera said the latest independent review reinforces the Diocese’s ongoing commitment to protecting children and young people.

“We are grateful to StoneBridge Business Partners for its careful review of our child protection efforts and are grateful that the Diocese has been found in compliance with the requirements of the Charter for the last 24 years,” Bishop Bambera said. “As Bishop, I pledge to continue to do all within my power to keep our churches, schools and all Diocesan facilities safe for our children and for all our people to worship, pray, learn and grow in their faith.”

Diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator Addie Rocco added that the audit results confirm the Diocese of Scranton is following the promises of the Charter.

“As a mother of four daughters and a former member of law enforcement, I understand how important our safety measures are and that education on reporting and looking for warning signs of behaviors can help to stop abuse before it starts,” Rocco stated. “Ensuring safety is a team sport. If you see something, say something. Be present, be aware, ask questions and get involved.”

The Diocese of Scranton’s Safe Environment Office oversees the implementation of the Diocese’s child protection policies and works with parishes, schools and other Diocesan entities to ensure that required training, background checks, reporting procedures and safe environment protocols remain in place.

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, enacted by the USCCB in 2002, requires dioceses to establish programs for the prevention of child sexual abuse, the reporting of allegations and the creation of safe environments for children and young people. Every U.S. diocese undergoes an annual audit to determine compliance with the provisions of the Charter.

For more information about the Diocese of Scranton’s Safe Environment Program and its policies and protocols, visit dioceseofscranton.org.

To report sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, an employee or volunteer of the Catholic Church, contact your local police department or county District Attorney and Mary Beth Pacuska, victim assistance coordinator for the Diocese of Scranton, at (570) 862-7551.

To report sexual misconduct by a bishop or eparch, contact the national reporting website at ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562.

The Diocese of Scranton remains committed to supporting survivors of sexual abuse and to taking every appropriate measure to prevent abuse and protect children and young people within the Church.

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Catholic and evangelical leaders issued an ecumenical statement Oct. 13 as part of a joint effort to call for compassionate immigration reform.

Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, and Rev. Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, are the co-chairs of the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration. Their joint statement, “A Call for Christian Compassion and Wisdom in the Immigration Debate,” marks the first such statement on immigration in U.S. history to be jointly issued by senior leaders of their respective traditions, they said.

The pair said that although they have “doctrinal differences,” they are “united in our conviction that God calls us to stand both with our fellow Americans who are experiencing economic and cultural anxieties and with our immigrant neighbors who are facing existential challenges.”

The statement articulated shared principles that every human being is “created with dignity, bearing God’s image,” and that government “is responsible for protecting its citizens and providing for the common good, including the establishment and enforcement of reasonable immigration policies.”

Those policies should include targeted, humane border enforcement, clear legal pathways to citizenship and efforts to prevent the separation of families, they said.

They also highlighted risks to religious liberty presented by certain immigration enforcement efforts.

Catholic and other faith leaders have pointed to recent cases where religious liberty challenges have intersected with immigration issues, such as a recent lawsuit from the Archdiocese of St. Louis against the federal government over a policy it said prohibits priests from distributing holy Communion and hearing the confessions of people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We especially commit to upholding the right to religious liberty,” the statement said. “This right extends to all people, of all faiths and none, no matter their immigration status. It is implicated in a particular way for those in detention, for whom we as Christians are specifically compelled by Christ to offer our pastoral care (Matthew 25:31–46). We are resolute in our commitment to working with the relevant authorities to ensure access to religious and pastoral services for all in detention, that each person may have the opportunity for spiritual counsel and active participation in the sacraments.”

Faith leaders have also raised alarm about the need to prevent immigration enforcement actions at places seen as sensitive locations, including houses of worship, schools and hospitals.

In a joint statement issued through the USCCB, Bishop Cahill — currently bishop of Victoria, Texas, but was recently appointed the next bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois — and Rev. Kim said, “What is unique about this statement is not the content, which is grounded in centuries of Christian teaching and tradition that we have already affirmed separately, but the clear unity that exists between us in this moment.”

“As pastors devoted to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we share a responsibility to articulate our convictions, even when it comes to subject matter as challenging as immigration. In doing so together, we seek to embrace our common heritage as both Christians and Americans,” they said. They added that through Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration, “we have found a strong sense of fraternity and common purpose. It is from this sincere and patriotic perspective, and with deep concern for those affected by current immigration policies, that we offer this statement with both conviction and hope.”

A joint report issued last year by the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services, the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and World Relief, found that more than 10 million Christians living in the U.S. would be vulnerable to deportation under Trump administration policies implemented in 2025. A majority of them were Catholic followed by a sizable number of evangelicals.

The joint statement from Bishop Cahill and Rev. Kim noted the report’s findings.

“Roughly one in 12 believers in this country either faces the loss of legal status or shares a home with someone who does,” they said. “Their fear is our fear; their tears are ours to wipe.”