Since 1990, the Saint Thomas More Society of Central Pennsylvania has been promoting the spiritual and intellectual welfare of its members through prayer and the study of Catholic principles. Founded by a group of devout Catholic legal professionals, our Society has blended law and spiritual practice from its inception.
Our Founders
provided by Harrisburg Diocese
Our Society’s first president was the Honorable Genevieve Blatt, Pennsylvania’s first female Commonwealth Court judge and the first woman ever elected to statewide office in Pennsylvania (as Secretary of Internal Affairs in 1954).
Father Kevin C. Rhoades, a young Catholic priest, served as the fledgling group’s spiritual advisor. In 2004, Father Rhoades became Bishop Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg. In 2010, Bishop Rhoades became the 9th Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend, Indiana.
Our Lasting Purpose
- To promote the spiritual and intellectual welfare of its members;
- To promote the study of the application of Christian principles to modern problems;
- To promote the study of the principles of the Catholic Church relating to moral and legal problems encountered in the practice of law;
- To promote the study of Canon Law by Catholic lawyers;
- To provide assistance to all interested members of the clergy on moral problems confronting the practicing lawyer and on matters of statewide and national importance;
- To acquaint its members, law students, and the public with the inspiring life and ideals of Saint Thomas More.