A Deacon of the Archdiocese of Denver Pays Tribute to Archbishop Charles Chaput

He has cried with those who have been abused; consoled those who grieve; prayed with those who are homeless and lost; and been a powerful voice for those who have no voice. 

P>DENVER, CO. (Catholic Online) - (Editors Note: I have never experienced a group of deacons who were more grateful for their Bishop than the deacons of the Archdiocese of Denver. As someone who has held a deep admiration for Archbishop Chaput for many years, I knew that his move to Philadelphia would be hard for his deacons. He has pastored them and clearly valued their unique contribution to the mission of the Church in their ordained ministry. I asked Deacon Joe Donohue of the Archdiocese to write a tribute to this wonderful Shepherd)

Sacred Scripture states that God created man in His image and likeness (Gen 1:27) and He formed us in our mother's womb. (Jer 1:5)  So, our 'source of being' is created personally and uniquely by God.  As we go through the pilgrimage of life, Our Lord brings people into our lives who that help to shape and mold us to become who we are and who we will be in the future.  The shaping of our soul, indeed our whole person, can be influenced by goodness and by evil. 

Clearly, our spouses, parents, children, siblings and best friends are among those whom God assigns to help build our character and disposition in a significant way.  Each individual we encounter initiates a memory in our soul that shapes the core of our being; some only slightly; other more substantially. There are certainly times when we can be just as important to others as we are to our self. 

Indeed, it is true what parents tell their children when they say that a true friend makes a person a better individual.  No true friend makes a person worse.  Archbishop Chaput is one of those individuals who have moved the pendulum of knowledge and wisdom in a positive direction for many souls, making them better individuals. I am one of them and for that I am grateful.

Archbishop Chaput also knows that ultimately we are judged both as an individual and as a society.  In his last public homily as the Archbishop of Denver he reflected on his tenure and stated, "I have to ask this question of myself.  By my teachings have I helped you to be better Christians?" With this question in mind he told the congregation, "The greatest gift you can give me is to be a better Christian."

In addition to his humble disposition, Archbishop Chaput relies on truth to get his message to the people; many who are lost in denial and rationalization. He knows that the truth is held sacred within Holy Mother Church through the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit.  This knowledge of truth is the source of his strength.  When he states that a person should research the truth, and not rely on secular sources, one should believe him and allow himself to be transformed.

Forgiveness and asking for forgiveness is also a character trait embedded in the soul of the Archbishop.  Regardless of circumstances, he understands the difference between the sinner and the sin. He has cried with those who have been abused; consoled those who grieve; prayed with those who are homeless and lost; and been a powerful voice for those who have no voice.  None of this is about personal gain or politics; rather, it is about reflecting the true Bride of Christ in all her majesty and being a Christian example of goodness for the rest of the world. 

So, as Archbishop Charles Chaput takes leave of the people in Denver, we humble ourselves before God and offer thanks for bringing this holy and prayerful man into our lives.  Through his leadership, God has enabled us to be molded for a life of Christ-like living. 

We are prayerful that we can continue the good work our Bishop has begun in us, allowing the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in our midst.  We are also thankful to the Archbishop for being the presence we needed in the Church of Denver over the last 14 years. 

What God has begun in Archbishop Chaput, we ask He bring to completion, here in Denver and in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, clergy, religious and laity, has received a special gift from God.  We will miss him and he will continue to be in our prayers.

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Deacon Joseph Donohoe is the Director of deacon personnel for the Archdiocese of Denver. Visit their web site here:  http://www.deaconden.org/

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