Pennsylvania priest, Flight 93 chapel founder becomes schismatic bishop

September 18, 2009

Father Alphonse Mascherino, a priest of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown for 31 years, has become a bishop of the schismatic North American Old Roman Catholic Church. Father Mascherino is founder of the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, which commemorates victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. An Old Catholic pastor since 2003, he will make the chapel into his cathedral.

“The diocese is sorry to hear he is still not choosing to come back into communion with the Holy Roman Catholic Church,” said a spokesman for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

The Old Catholics schism arose following the rejection of the First Vatican Council (1869-70) by some German Catholics.

 

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Further information:

• Chapel director becoming bishop (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)
• Flight 93 chapel director to become bishop (Daily American)