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Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision June 28 on the government’s health-care reform legislation, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia spoke with the Register’s Edward Pentin about his reaction to the news and what this now means in the Church’s battle to overturn the law’s requirement that all health-care insurance programs must include coverage for contraception.
Archbishop Chaput received the pallium this morning at a Mass in St. Peter's basilica on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
What does the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of President Obama’s health-care reform legislation now mean in the struggle to defend religious freedom?
I think it’s a disappointment on the part of many of us in the Church because we had hoped the decision would make our lawsuits unnecessary. But a decision of the court is a decision of the court, and we have to accept it in a generous kind of way. We have to do all we can to make sure the position of the Church on religious freedom is clearly articulated and that the challenge to religious freedom, as embodied in the mandates from the Health and Human Services agency,… are overturned.
The U.S. bishops have spoken in favor of a universal right to health care.
The bishops really do believe it. Health is a basic human right; we have a right to be healthy. There’s no declaration on the part of the Church that that has to be accomplished through government intervention.
There are many ways of approaching health care, and I think it’s very important for Catholics to understand the fact that the Church, seeing health care as a basic human right, does not mean [to say] there’s a particular method of obtaining that [right that’s] better than another.
How will this decision affect your work, and what should the faithful be doing in response?
It’s a lesson to us. [The battle for] religious freedom is going to continue; it’s going to be a long fight. We have to never let down our guard. We have to be calling our people to be engaged on this issue. We thought it was going to be easily obtained … but that’s obviously not the case, so it just requires more day-to-day work on the issue in our own locations.
On the positive side, the policy has been a unifying factor?
In some sense, there has been a surprising unity, at least among the bishops, if not among all Catholics. God always gives us opportunities. The message of Christ is to obtain grace and do good things.
The Fortnight for Freedom continues until July 4. Have you been happy with the response?
One of the things I’m embarrassed about is that I’m not currently at the heart of that in the United States; I’m over here in Rome. Religious freedom and the place of the Church in politics has been an issue I’ve been interested in for many years and written about in a considerable number of ways.
So I really wish I could have been home for more of this. I’ll be returning at the conclusion and be preaching at the National Shrine [in Washington] at the very end, on the Fourth of July, Independence Day. So I’ll get back for it.
In our archdiocese, because I’ve been away and my auxiliary bishops have been with me, we’ve really placed the leadership of this in the hands of pastors and parishes, which is where the real leadership of the Church should be taking place anyway. So I’ve been pleased with the way the pastors have embraced the task.
What are your reflections on the pallium ceremony?
It’s always a special time because it’s a way of being embraced by the Pope. That’s always a very important thing for bishops.
Peter was told by Jesus to confirm his brethren, and the Holy Father does that with archbishops in the unique way of conferring the pallium, which is the fraternal symbol of our unity and love for one another. We’re literally embraced by the Pope when he places the pallium on our shoulders, so that little embrace symbolizes a spiritual embrace which is at the heart of the College of Bishops.
What is the situation like now in Philadelphia? Are matters starting to settle down?
Actually, last week was one of the hardest weeks I’ve had, because we had to downsize our resources and workforces by 20% because of our financial problems. We’ve had deficit spending for many years, and we’ve run out of money.
Legal issues are another, also very expensive, matter, but it has nothing to do with this ordinary, annual budget. Then, last week, we also had a decision by a local criminal court that a former vicar of the clergy for the archdiocese was found guilty of endangering children and given a jail term. So this time is very sad for us. It was probably the worst week I’ve had since being made archbishop, but it will get better.
Edward Pentin is the Register’s Rome correspondent. He blogs at NCRegister.com.
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I find myself not having much sympathy for the bishops because national (“free”)health care is what they’ve been asking for(praying for?) for years.
Thank you Archbishop Chaput for your committment to Christ and His Church. May your service for the truth and for the people of God continue to bear fruit that lasts. Remain committed even in the face of secularism, skepticism, mediocrity, and disbelief- for there are many others stading with you on the side of truth.
DJ Hesselius, what I learned from Archbishop Chaput’s comments above is that, although the bishops believe universal health care is important, it doesn’t mean it needs to be accomplished through government intervention. To me, clearly it’s NOT the way, since their means is through prioritizing things that go against the conscience of many and are so dangerous for society. No one will lose access to contraceptives and yet, it seems our own government, making themselves an athority on what’s best for our health, will be recommending something known to cause strokes and cancer. In other words, our government will recommend for us something dangerous, but to them a lesser of two evils, the “other evil” being an unintended pregnancy… as 36 couples wait to adopt for every one child available for adoption.
Archbishop Chaput: ‘It’s Going to Be a Long Fight’
Well, Bishop Chaput, I really don’t think you know what a “long fight” really is. It indeed has been a “long fight” for the victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, their families and the survivors, to attain justice for the evil and criminal conduct of certain clergy. Their “long fight” has been going on for many, many years.
A significant battle was won last week in the criminal courts of Philadelphia when Msgr. William Lynn was convicted of endangering the welfare of children by allowing a known pedophile priest to be assigned to a parish with an elementary school and young children.
Speaking of “long fights”, Bishop Chaput, when are you and the PA Catholic Conference going to stop fighting the efforts in Harrisburg to extend the statute of limitations and to open up a two-year window during which time past victims can file legal action, regardless of the location or organization where the alleged offense was committed?
This is an easy one, Bishop. Get on the side that knows that the protection of all Pennsylvania’s children is the top priority of any organization.
The Church is obligated to raise it religious challenge. Hopefully the matter will be resolved for the best of all involved.
In all fairness, the bishops did object to the original health care bill as they saw what was coming. If you recall it was the nuns such as Sr. Keehan and those of the LCWR, who have recently been placed under guidance by the Vatican, that really supported the health care bill in opposition to the bishops. Indeed everyone should have access to health care but, as the Archbishop stated in this interview, “Health is a basic human right;we have a right to be healthy. There`s no declaration on the part of the Church that that has to be accomplished through government intervention.” I think you will find Archbishop Chaput says what he means and means what he says and God Bless him, he dose have his hands full in the Phila. Archdiocese.
DJ, unfortunatly this mandate does not provide “free” healthcare. It only requires that everybody BUY health insurance and those who dont will have the premiums taken out of their bank accounts or tax refunds. Who do you think that hurts most, rich of poor? It’s time that we all wake up and find real leaders to send to Washington who will really act in our best interests.
I think the good Archbishop should really concentrate on tbe problems of the Philadelphia archdiocese and leave national politics to others.
I fear when I see Bishops ney the very Church, fighting to prevent universal health care via the tax system for Americans. i suppose the price that non-wealthy citizens will eventually have to pay if the Church gets its way, will be worth it (not), will the Church pay for their health care?
Writing from England, where every single person has the right to the fullest health care at point of use, I can only feel sorry for the victims if this law is overturned. But I am sure the Bishops have private healthcare plans, so none need worry.
I do not want to pay for someones birth controll pills like HHS mandate says you do.
First of all there isn’t such a thing as free health care. I don’t think the bishops are asking for your sympathy. We as Catholics help the poor unselfishly. It is part of our faith. But when the government demands us to go against what we believe they go too far. It seems as though you do not understand the Catholic faith. God Bless.
DJ,you refer to the bishops as though they are seperate from the rest of the church. They are our teachers and leaders but we are all united in one body, in Christ. It is their job to teach ideals. The Bishops arguement can be made that out of the billions spent on wars of questionable national interest, or other waste; it might be just as well to give some to the poor (in health care).This is a valid ideal, the nuts and bolts of which would have to be negotiated. Making that arguement is not saying we want the government to narrowly define religious freedom or make us pay for things we believe are evil.
The nccb has to separate itself from the democratic party and stand up for the constitution. The government gives money for catholic charities and they feel as they own you”.
Yeah, it’s going to require determination and perseverance.BUT IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS FIGHT PARTICULARLY IS A BATTLE AGAINST POWERS AND PRINCIPALITIES, SINCE THE “OUT OF LEFT FIELD” ROBERTS’ SWITCH TO APPROVE THE BILL ON THE BASIS OF IT BEING A TAX, INSTEAD OF CONDEMNING THE WHOLE BILL, LEAVES ENOUGH BASIS TO EVENTUALLY SUSTAIN THE BILL AND THUS TRANSFORM THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CITIZEN AND THE INDIVIDUAL STATES TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT WILL ALLOW A FUTURE DICTATORSHIP AND/OR A NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT—WITH MEXICO AND CANADA—TO SUPPLANT THE U.S.A. To prevent that, our people better turn back to God SOON or we’re toast! The Bishops here better seek DIRECT SUPERNATURAL MEANS TO SAVE OUR COUNTRY WITH A HUGE, PERSISTENT PUBLIC ROSARY CRUSADE LED BY THE CLERGY AND CULMINATING IN THE INSTALLATION OF O.L. of America’s statue collegially and solemnly in the Basilica of the I.C. DC before the election, which SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE 50YRS AGO, the failure of which to do has DIRECTLY LED TO THE IMMORALITY, MATERIALISM AND GREED THAT IS TAKING US DOWN UNDER OBAMA!
I believe it was one of the Bishop/Saints who said to his brother Bishops
“Let us not be dogs that don’t bark…” It is gratifying to finally hear our Bishops barking on this issue. I only hope that after this is resolved that the Bishops will begin to bark about the federal governments approval of and funding for killing unborn children. Please pray for that outcome.
President Reagan said it best about the scariest words in the English language being: “We’re from the govt. & we’re here to help you.”
@ SAA—universal health care is a reality of sorts. Anyone can walk into an ER and receive health care. (Of course, it may not be very good health care.) Couple of years back, our then bishop (a “convservative” bishop) lobbied for one of the local county Dept of Public Health to pay for health care for the local county poor (this was a county ballot question.) I beleive the millage went down to defeat. Maybe I am too much the “fiscal conservative” but it seems to me that the bishops are basically in support of ANY gov’t program that has as its stated “goal” of “helping the poor.”
@ archibald—no, gov’t health care, like anything else—including education—is not free. Indeed, like any gov’t program, I expect the costs to be quite a bit more than they said it will be.
@ mark—no, just because we are wasting billions nation building in the Middle East and elsewhere does not mean wasting billions more on health care is a good thing. For one thing, the money will not be just given to the poor—vast bureaucracies will be created, many, many more IRS agents have been hired in order to enforce the new taxes.
I like what Archbishop Chaput said.We tend to forget this:
“The bishops really do believe it. Health is a basic human right; we have a right to be healthy. There’s no declaration on the part of the Church that that has to be accomplished through government intervention.”
“public witness to the truth”……….Archbishop Chaput
Ever since the release of the first Grand Jury Report concerning clergy sexual abuse in September 2005 by the District Attorney of Philadelphia, many Philadelphia area Catholics have been doing just that: “public witness to the truth.”
The victims, their families, supporters, advocates, etc. have certainly applied this principle of “public witness to the truth” as the facts, evidence, statements, reports, internal documents, etc. have been revealed concerning the management of sexual abuse allegations by the leaders of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Michael S.,
If you are concerned about the victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and would like to make those concerns known to the Archbishop and his staff, may I suggest that you contact the office of the Victim Assistance Coordinators at: 215-587-3880, 1-888-800-8780 - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As you make clear, clerical sexual abuse is a grave and serious matter, not to be taken lightly, and the facts do need to be brought out with a “pulic witness to the truth.” Serious matters deserve serious conversation and serious questions and answers. Your concerns deserve a more worth medium of communication than a comment post to a news story.
Please use the resources that the church has, in good faith, responded with to help heal the deep wounds that have resulted from other’s ill actions. As Catholic christians, we are all members of Christ- weather good or bad. We all fall and all need Christ as our savior. Let us allow Christ to heal the wounds, fix the bad, and appreciate the good among us. Know that the church is right here with you in your disgust of sexual abuse. If you have been affected directly by abuse, I am deeply sorry and share in some small part of the suffering that you may have endured. I seek your healing and pray that Christ may free you from any affects of that abuse. Know that Christ is hear to heal and the Church is here to remain committed to never allow sexual abuse to happen again.
Hello Michael,
I agree, let’s make sure ALL children are protected and given Justice! So you should only settle for a removal of statute of limitations for both public and privat eorganizations. Also, public schools should remove legal financial caps which protect them by limiting the amount of money which the govt will pay out in legal settlements. It makes lawyers uninterested in pursuing justice against victims of public school teachers because it ‘doesn’t pay’. Once the playing field is level and ALL victims have the same access to justice, then we should pursue removing these statutes of limitations. It is catgorically unfair to make laws that in essence, single out private organizations for legal and financial target, while simultaneously protecting government schools and organizations. This is not justice! Is to worse for a child to be abused by a priest vs a teacher at a public school? Is it just for the victim of the sick priest to get a settlement, while the victim of the public school teacher cannot get a lawyer to take their case because there is no financial pay back? Like you said, let’s make sure ALL the victims can pursue justice, before we start making accusations.
Good responses to Michael S. The legal screws keep turning in the clergy sexual abuse cases, but let’s not overlook the place where children are most vulnerable to abuse TODAY - in their own homes, at the hands of their mothers’ boyfriends. Why should we wait for all the sad stories to come out decades from now???? A little truth - and light - on this issue would go a long way… It’s a salient story idea for the mainstream press, if they are honest enough to take it on.
“National Free Health Care”, sounds great! But it only sounds great. Is it? It is not great when in the name of Health Care the Government places itself as a magisterium of the Catholic Church. Ordering the Church to defy Christ, by making it a mandate that the Church stop its respect for human life. The Supreme Court made abortion legal, now it has approved the notorious anti-Catholic Obama’s National health care plan. Its time that it be placed on the ballot, for the Supreme Court to be abolished. And all the evil it has brought upon the American people to be reversed. Had this been done in the 70’s, 50 million children would not have been murdered. It would not be extremist to say that the Supreme Court is an agent of satan, especialy when one looks at the reality of 50 million mudered human beings, murdered simply because the Supreme Court decided it was okay. A priest condemning abortion said, “The real Supreme Court is in Heaven.”, many are now eternaly lost because of the actions of this God forbidden Court.
Obamacare mandates that refusal to comply with the order will result in taxes, penalties and fees being withdrawn from our personal and business bank accounts without our consent.
Mitt Romney was castigated for putting his money into offshore accounts.
Why not? Offshore accounts pay much higher interest than American banks, and they are not illegal as long as you report the interest earned and pay tax on it. Church institutions do not intend to comply with the contraception mandate. If their bank accounts were transferred to offshore accounts, the government would not be able to access them.
In fact, it would be a great idea for all of us to open offshore accounts, and get great interest rates.
God bless Archbishop Chaput! In addition to this excellent interview, you can read Archbiship Chaput’s warning that Catholics may have crossed the rubicon—from his talk at the Napa Institute—on the Catholic Business Journal here: https://catholicbusinessjournal.biz/content/reporting-live-chaput-warns-catholic-leaders-napa-institue-we-may-have-crossed-rubicon
The US Supreme Court should be tried for crimes against humanity. President Obama should be impeached for violations against the Contstitution that guarantees the Freedom of Religion, and he must be criminaly prosecuted. Sound extremist? Its not! Its called coming to our senses, and finaly demanding that this Country start returning to its sanity. If these devil incarnates are not stopped now, they will only continue to deteriorate society. We have to take legal action and stop our feeble “Don’t do that” attitude. Lets not tell them to merely stop, lets use the legal system to destroy the evil they are spreading and embedding into this Nation.
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