During a time of mounting challenge for the U.S. Catholic hierarchy, Pope Benedict XVI appointed a new Church leader for Philadelphia: Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver. He’s a trailblazer with a knack for advancing the claims of faith in the public square, explaining inconvenient truths to pro-choice politicians, and reinvigorating the religious identity of Church institutions.
Some leaders of Catholic universities and social agencies see their religious legacy as a threat to greater government subsidies or secular prestige. The archbishop contends that if our outreach isn’t deeply Christ-centered, we shouldn’t call it “Catholic.” He’s also prepared to cross swords with self-identified “Catholic” politicians who advance abortion rights and same-sex “marriage.”
In his bestselling work Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life, the archbishop critiqued John F. Kennedy’s pledge to separate his political decisions from his faith. The pledge shielded him from the unjust attacks of anti-Catholic bigots, but it also introduced an alien “secularist” approach to the conduct of American politics that has contributed to the privatization of religious faith.
Like Pope Benedict, who has anticipated a future role for religious believers as a “creative minority” — a leaven in the West’s increasingly secular culture — the archbishop argues that religious witness plays an essential role: The faithful defend and transmit fundamental truths that transcend man-made laws and government. Accordingly, this witness secures freedom, by limiting the reach and authority of the state.
At present, Catholics in Philadelphia, still reeling from a fresh clergy-abuse scandal, are looking for gifted pastor who can address the problems that have damaged the local Church’s credibility. Archbishop Chaput’s record in Denver suggests he will be equal to the task.
A firm defender of the Dallas Charter’s plicy of “zero tolerance” for clergy who have been credibility accused of abuse, he has shown himself to be a careful steward of the Church’s resources, successfully blocking a recent legislative effort to lift the statute of limitations for civil suits against the Church — but not for other groups.
Over the long haul, however, the new archbishop of Philadelphia will make his mark as a leader of the New Evangelization who is prepared to challenge the received wisdom of secular elites.
“Christianity is not mainly — or even significantly — about politics. It’s about living and sharing the love of God. And Christian political engagement, when it happens, is never mainly the task of the clergy. That work belongs to lay believers who live most intensely in the world,” he said, during a recent speech before a Baptist audience in Texas. “But a Christian life begins in a relationship with Jesus Christ, and it bears fruit in the justice, mercy and love we show to others because of that relationship.”
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The disgusting rabid hatred and blindness of the church continues. We’ve had a financial meltdown. The Church is silent about business ethics. The fanatical paranoia of the Bishops even led them to oppose “Obamacare” because they thought, wrongly, it would lead to paying for abortions. Thus they sought to condemn millions to disease and death. Chaput isn’t a trailblazer, he’s just another clerical coward, unwilling to take on the rich and powerful. I’m sure the moderator will censor me shortly, but Catholics should be under no illusion that many of us are not ignorant of the corrosive hatred the current Pope and USCCB have for civil rights, the poor and their continued worship of the rich and powerful.
Denver’s loss is Philly’s gain. Praise be Jesus Christ! Welcome to Philadelphia, Holy Servant of the Lord!
Congratulations to the new Archbishop of Philadelphia.
I was glad to read the news. It is long since, I am hoping that the American Catholics will have holy and brave bishops. Our country is moving to wrong directio. Some of us have contributed to the direction of this country. Some of the Catholics have lost the sense of faith.Many ingnore the Church teaching. Many favor abotion, gay marriage, stem cell research and all kinds of secular undertakings. God bless Archbishop Charles Chaput.
Philadelphia requires a strong fearless leader. They have found one
in ArchBishop Chaput.
bob the moderators correctly didn’t “censor” you, correctly so, presumably as a warning and reminder to the rest of us that there are hopelessly confused souls out there who need our prayers and who, unfortunately, vote.
We have to pray that “bob” is given the grace to lose the hate and vitriol in his post. Evidently he is of the Bill Maher school of agnosticism. Obamacare will require the funding of abortions; just this week the Secretary in charge of its implementation has decreed mandatory issuance of birth control devices, regardless of religious convictions.
Archbishop Chaput has been a refreshing voice in Colorado; his new position will enable many more to appreciate his honest position on our Church’s role in our society.
For at least three future cardinals, Denver is the route. Stafford, Gomez, now Chaput. In Denver we will miss him but if your skills and talents are needed for a greater need then on one goes.
Hope the next Archbishop we receive here is equally intelligent, engaging and enthusiastic. Archbishop Chaput used to have what is called Theology on Tap at Our Brothers Bar in lower downtown Denver. He was there explaining the faith standing, so it were on the sawdust barroom floor.
He’ll find out soon enough it’s anything BUT the so-called “City of Brotherly Love.”
It will take all the US bishops to be on the same page about issues such as ending the speeding train that is same-sex marriage, and then abortion, and calling to task those openly Catholic politicians that support it. There are just too many to number. Next on the list is the crowd that is pushing the legalization of marijuana. But I disagree with the bishops about promoting illegal immigration. I don’t support any illegal behavior and the money spent on illegal people is ruining our states and our country.
bob, what universe do you live in? If you think that our pope and the USCCB have a “corrosive hatred” for civil rights (and) the poor”, you have never read anything they have ever written, heard anything they have ever said nor seen the example of love in their actions. I feel sorry for you because you definitely have your head in the sand or in another reality all together. We already see that Obamacare is pushing to have payment for birth control pills as a required coverage for health care plans. It sees birth control as preventative medicine! That’s a rich one and part of the double speak that seems to be the standard fare of people who condemn the Church because they do not like hearing the truth.
If there is any “disgusting rabid hatred and blindness”, I suggest you read your own posting once again. Please, read the recent encyclicals of our current Pope, read just one of the many books he has authored, then try to justify your condemnations. You will not be able to unless you persist in “not seeing, lest you believe and be saved.”
As best as I can tell, the Bishops are NOT supporting illegal immigration; but they are also NOT for calling for harsh measures designed to treat the illegals like hell. Remember, these people have time after time proven themselves far more willing to work for cheap wages just to at least try and scrape together a better life than they’d ever find in Mexico, Central America and Asia. Just ask our wealthy down in the Sunbelt who are all too willing to take advantage of these people, all the while they’re talking out of the other sides of their mouths bellyaching about what it costs them in terms of welfare, and the usual other gripes so many members of my very spoiled BABIED boomer generation love to toss out for good measure.
We can’t have it both ways folks and the Bishops are trying to say this while upholding the Church’s 2,000 year tradition of its teachings on behalf of the strangers in our midst. WHat’s more important; some talking points spouted off by a whiner like Bill O’Reilly or the words of Jesus in Matthew 25? Who’s the Lord of your life; Caesar or God?
We need a few more like him; men of courage and faith - true men and true leaders.
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