VATICAN CITY (EWTN News/CNA) — A Vatican source has confirmed that on July 19 Pope Benedict XVI will appoint Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver as the shepherd of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Several news outlets reported on July 18 that Archbishop Chaput will lead the Philadelphia Archdiocese beginning this coming September.
Archbishop Chaput’s appointment was confirmed to EWTN News late on July 18 by a Vatican source who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the
information.
On June 30, the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops picked the name of a potential Philadelphia archbishop from a list of three candidates — known as a “terna” — to recommend to Pope Benedict.
However, after praying over the issue during the Fourth of July weekend, Pope Benedict decided not to select any of the recommended candidates and specifically chose Archbishop Chaput for the post.
The Denver archbishop is no stranger to Pope Benedict, who spent a significant amount of time working with Archbishop Chaput during the apostolic visitation of the Legion of Christ between 2009 and 2010. Archbishop Chaput also led the visitation of Bishop Bill Morris in the Diocese of Toowomba, Australia, in 2007.
Cardinal Justin Rigali, who has lead the Philadelphia Archdiocese since 2003, submitted his resignation on April 19, 2010, when he reached the retirement age of 75. That resignation is expected to be accepted by Pope Benedict on July 19.