Latest Diocesan News

On Monday, May 20^th the Department of Justice issued a release stating that David F. Dzermejko, a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh who was removed from ministry in June 2009, was charged with possession of “visual depictions, still images in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.”

Since 2009, Dzermejko has been forbidden from celebrating the sacraments publicly, from wearing clerical attire, or presenting himself publicly as a priest.

Bishop David A.

Pittsburgh Catholic Staff Report

Following an internal investigation, the president of Carnegie Mellon University announced that misdemeanor indecent exposure charges would be filed against two students related to an incident last month.

 Dr.

The following statement is in response to the April 18^th‘Anti-Gravity Downhill Derby’ at Carnegie Mellon University, sponsored by the School of Art, where a female student naked from the waist down and dressed as the pope passed out condoms:

            We appreciate the fact that Carnegie Mellon University has taken the complaints about this demonstration seriously and will investigate what took place.

My dear brothers and sisters:

As part of my pastoral responsibility and deep concern for the welfare of all, I try to make certain that you are kept informed when any allegation of clergy abuse of minors is made, no matter how dated.

This letter reflects our longstanding practice of notice that anyone who has been abused by a representative of the church notify the diocese, the state abuse hotline or the appropriate civil authorities.

Bishop David Zubik, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Catholic Charities and the local Catholic Cemeteries Association have appealed the district court order dismissing without prejudice their case challenging the Health and Human Services mandate.

The motion filed Jan. 23 requests that the Third Circuit reach a different conclusion regarding the jurisdictional arguments raised by the federal government.

This is one of approximately 40 cases nationwide challenging the HHS mandate as a violation of the constitutional right to religious freedom and religious expression.

Bishop David A. Zubik issued the following statement on the Notice of Proposed Rule Making issued by the Department for Health and Human Services concerning the HHS Mandate:

My Dear Fellow Priests and Deacons:

We live in a culture where pornography is everywhere and readily available. Some rightly judge that pornographic activity in our society has reached epidemic proportions. However, that does not mean – that cannot mean – that this is some form of victimless action that can be ignored or excused.

The viewing of ANY type of pornography is wrong and immoral. It involves everyone – the viewer, those being viewed, and those who have anything to do with its availability.

Pittsburgh – Bishop David A. Zubik has issued a decree dated December 14 merging St. Justin Parish into St. Mary of the Mount Parish, Mount Washington.

The merger will be effective February 10, 2013 at which time the Saint Justin church building will be closed.

The merger, which came at the request of both parishes, was announced at Masses in the parishes the weekend of December 15-16.

The merger of St. Justin into St.

In a letter to Bishop David Zubik, the Vatican's Congregation for Clergy upheld his decision at the request of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Donora to close St.