Diocese of Rockford

Fr. John Kladar

My First Month As A Priest

By Father John Kladar, Diocese of Rockford, Catholic Link, July 29, 2019 It has been just over six weeks since I was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Rockford on June 1st, 2019. Since then, I have been able to celebrate over sixty masses, anoint several people, preside over a... read more

Assessing the Abuse Report on Illinois Priests

Catholic League president Bill Donohue assesses a report on alleged sexual abusers in the Illinois dioceses that was released on March 20: There are many news stories about the 395 priests in Illinois who have been named in a report on clergy sexual abuse, but most of them are incomplete. For... read more

Responses to Tom Roeser Blog Directed to CCI by the Archdiocese of Chicago

Responses to Tom Roeser July 2008 Blog Directed to CCI by the Archdiocese of Chicago -- click on PDF links to open... read more

Seven priests honored as Monsignors

There are now seven more reasons to celebrate during the diocese's centennial year. Seven diocesan priests have been honored by Pope Benedict XVI for years of what Bishop Thomas G. Doran called "double duty. In this Centennial Year of celebration, it is a privilege to announce that yet another... read more

Who Funds Pfleger and Jackson’s War on Second Amendment Rights?

Recently the news media has covered the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Father Michael Pfleger leading protests against a suburban Chicago gun shop. This political activity is directed at closing the gun shop and passing anti-Second Amendment legislation in Illinois. Who funds this political activity? Are... read more

Bishop Doran out of hospital, recuperating

Bishop Thomas Doran, who heads the Rockford Diocese, has returned home to recuperate from Dec. 14 surgery on his lung. It still is unclear when Doran, 70, will resume his day-to-day duties as bishop for the 11-county Catholic diocese, which includes McHenry and Kane counties. Doran was a patient at... read more

We are rapidly becoming a nation of victims.

We are rapidly becoming a nation of victims. Victimhood is even a badge of honor and a title to sustenance. Thus it is perhaps difficult for those who are used to our American ethos of independent self-reliance, but under the influence of our culture that independence seems to be a thing of the... read more

The effort to make St.

The effort to make St. Mary Oratory a historic landmark ended Monday after the two sponsors of the move asked to have the application withdrawn. Winnebago County Board member Mary Ann Aiello, R-9, and Rockford architect Gary W. Anderson had requested the historic designation for the church, 517... read more

When cities trumpet the glories of their downtowns, they normally talk about such things as the number and variety of restaurants and stores, easy access from other parts of the city, even the availab

When cities trumpet the glories of their downtowns, they normally talk about such things as the number and variety of restaurants and stores, easy access from other parts of the city, even the availability of parking places. Here, however, we believe in -a different kind of greatness,- and I can... read more

The Winnebago County Board in northwestern Illinois has come under fire for a proposal to demolish St.

The Winnebago County Board in northwestern Illinois has come under fire for a proposal to demolish St. Mary-s Church and to expand the county jail. St. Mary-s offers daily Mass, has spawned two private schools, and is a shining star among orthodox and traditional Catholic groups that are working to... read more