Coming to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: Archbishop Charles Chaput

The Archbishop of Denver Will Succeed Cardinal Rigali in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Cardinal Rigali had submitted his retirement upon reaching the canonical age. I have watched with great interest as the news spread of his imminent replacement. The importance of the Philadelphia Archdiocese and the significance of the choice of his successor is the subject of much media attention. Most reports have pointed to three (a few to four) candidates being mentioned to become the 9th Archbishop of Philadelphia. Now, several sources point to the Archbishop of Denver.

P>PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Catholic Online) - The following Press Release from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia confirmed the news:

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Archbishop Charles J Chaput, O.F.M, Cap., Named Archbishop of Philadelphia

Cardinal Justin Rigali will hold a news conference this morning to announce that Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M., Cap. as the 13th Bishop and 9th Archbishop of Philadelphia. Archbishop Chaput will be Installed on Thursday, September 8, 2011, the feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 2:00 p.m. The Holy Father has also appointed Cardinal Rigali as Apostolic Administrator with all of the responsibilities of Archbishop until the Installation of Archbishop Chaput.

Archbishop Chaput, who is 66, is a member of the Order of Friars Minor, Capuchin. He was ordained a priest in 1970 and became a bishop at the age of 43. At that time he became the Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota. Since 1997 he has served as Archbishop of Denver. A member of the Prairie Band Potowatami Tribe, Archbishop Chaput is the second Native American to be ordained a Bishop in the United States and the first Native American Archbishop.

Following the news conference, Cardinal Rigali will be the main celebrant and homilist for a Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Chaput as well as Auxiliary Bishops and priests of the Archdiocese. All are invited to attend.

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Regular readers of Catholic Online are aware of my admiration for Archbishop Charles Chaput of the Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado. He is the author of "Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic beliefs in Political Life." The book is an outstanding presentation of the proper motivation for and proper response to the call to political and cultural participation. It is also a "must read" as we approach the upcoming elections.

In early 2010 I had the privilege of speaking at the Annual Conference of the Archdiocese of Denver. The event was packed with attendees and the sheer numbers were an inspiration. That year the theme was based on the Lord´s words recorded in the Gospel of St. John "I Have Chosen You." (John 15:16) This was one of the most encouraging conferences I have been to in years.

I left that conference convinced that the Archdiocese of Denver is a shining example of the "New Evangelization" which Blessed John Paul II called for and which our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI is now leading. The seminaries in Denver are full, the parishes are growing and the Church is alive in the Holy Spirit, and faithful to the Magisterium. It is what I like to call a "Dynamically Orthodox" Catholic Archdiocese.

The ecclesial movements are welcomed as a resource in Denver and allowed to build their missionary outposts. The RCIA process is filled with Catechumens and Candidates eager to come into the fullness of communion with the Catholic Church. The faithful are regularly instructed in the Sacred Scriptures and teachings of the Church.

The Archdiocese is filled with opportunities for adult faith formation through a number of Diocesan efforts staffed with really qualified people truly in love with the Lord and His Church. All of the faithful are called to holiness, in every state in life, and made partners in the Mission of the Church for this new missionary age. The Priests and Deacons are happy and flourishing in their ministry. Everyone I spoke to loves the Archbishop and feels cared for in their work for the Lord and His Church.

Archbishop Charles Chaput is a prophetic, courageous and pastoral Shepherd. He regularly defends life, marriage and the family, our obligations to the poor and the right to religious freedom in a culture increasingly hostile to the teaching of the Catholic Church. He embraces the full meaning of the Social teaching of the Catholic Church concerning the dignity of every human person and articulates that liberating message with clarity, conviction and passion. In short, he is a Bishop who knows "how to Bishop."

Later that same year, in September of 2010, I attended the Catholic Leader's conference. It is a small invitation only conference which presents an opportunity for Catholics seeking to infuse the culture with the values informed by Catholic faith to support one another and share from our common experiences. It brings together people from the Academy, public policy, journalism and media, the business world... indeed all the points of cultural change.

Every year the conference is held in a different city and in 2010, it was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We were welcomed by Cardinal Justin Rigali and I served as his deacon at the opening liturgy. He gave a good homily which can still be found on the web site of the Archdiocese. This event came before much of the news of the last year broke wide open. As I read the reports in the last few months I recalled being "burdened" for the Cardinal back then. I sensed either fatigue or a spiritual heaviness in him. It was probably both. We need to pray for him.  

I was impressed with the actual City of Philadelphia which I had not visited in many years. I graduated in 1980 from the Law School at the University of Pittsburgh, took the Pennsylvania Bar and had occasions to practice in the Federal Court. In my 2010 visit the renewal of the City was very evident. Sadly however, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has suffered greatly as the burdens and pain caused by the Clergy Abuse scandals have come to light.It needs its own renewal, at every level.  

As Editor of Catholic Online, I become aware of the earliest "stirrings" of changes in Church leadership. I knew that Cardinal Rigali had submitted his retirement upon reaching the canonical age. I have watched with great interest as the news spread of his imminent replacement. The importance of the Philadelphia Archdiocese and the significance of the choice of his successor is the subject of much media attention. Most reports have pointed to three (a few to four) candidates being mentioned to become the 9th Archbishop of Philadelphia.

Since it is the Pope who makes these choices after consultation, when I want to know what Rome has decided in such matters, I go FIRST to the best "Vaticanisti" news source on all such matters, Whispers in the Loggia. It is edited by one of Philadelphia's finest, Rocco Palmo. I expected Philadelphia's Rocco Palmo to break the story. I also know that his sources are reliable. 

However, as of my writing, he was still only alluding to this important selection in cryptic language: "still, as our next Shepherd isn't (by his own admission) exactly a guy of high-classical taste, something well more up his alley seems to be in order." (He placed a video segment from "Les Miserable" which is one of Archbishops Chaput's favorites)

Rocco continued, "And now, back to preparing the rollout piece for what's set to be the most revolutionary shift of leadership this place has known in at least a century. In one sense, Phils fans, this is a return to our roots... in another, it's a reflection of the best gifts our own have given to the wider church... yet above all, it marks the beginning of a very new, very different era from the way things have long been 'round here."

Since publishing his story, Rocco updated his report citing reliable reports out of the European Catholic Press confirming this good news for the people of Philadelphia. He then followed up  with another report with other sources confirming the report that Archbishop Chaput had been chosen was true. Similarly, Catholic News Agency cited a Vatican source for confirmation as well.

Early Monday morning I was surprised to find that Paul Zalonski reported a story in his delightful blog "Communio" which was later removed. It was entitled "Charles Joseph Chaput 9th Archbishop of Philadelphia, Pope nominates" and read, in part:

"Archbishop Charles Joseph Chaput, OFM Cap., 66, of Denver, a Native American Indian (Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe), as the 13th Bishop and 9th Archbishop of Philadelphia. He replaces His Eminence, Justin Francis Cardinal Rigali, 76, who has served the Archdiocese since 2003. The Cardinal has been a priest for 50 years, a bishop for 26 years and a cardinal for nearly 8 years..."

When the post was removed I assumed that Paul published a bit too soon. He probably shares my enthusiasm over Archbishop Chaput. Later in the day on Monday, the post returned. However, even as we all await details of this important news, there is a major change ahead for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. As I published this article, Dave O'Reilly of the Philadelphia Inquirer published a story entitled "Denver bishop to replace Cardinal Rigali." Now,this wonderful news for the faithful of the City of brotherly love has been confirmed.

John L. Allen Jr., one of the premier Catholic journalists and authors of our time, and currently of the National Catholic Reporter, obtained the first interview of the new Archbishop-designate of Philadelphia.It can be read in its entirety here: http://ncronline.org/news/people/exclusive-interview-archbishop-charles-chaput

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