Denver archbishop not among Democrats' invited clerics

Wash Times ^ | August 19, 2008 | Julia Duin

[NYer]

Democrats have invited more than two dozen religious leaders to pray or speak at their upcoming conventioin with a notable exception: Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, a policy wonk and the leader of Colorado's largest religious denomination.

Several Catholics, including former Colorado state Sen. Polly Baca, "Dead Man Walking" author Sister Helen Prejean, social justice lobbyist Sister Catherine Pinkerton and Pepperdine University professor Douglas W. Kmiec, are on the program.

Organizers are also flying in Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios from New York to give the opening prayer Wednesday.

But Archbishop Chaput's only contact with the convention has been a meeting with Leah Daughtry, chief executive officer of the convention and a Pentecostal pastor, and an invitation to attend the event as an observer.

Raymond Flynn, the Democratic mayor of Boston for 10 years before being named ambassador to the Vatican during the Clinton administration, said not inviting the archbishop to pray or speak was "a serious oversight" that Democratic leaders should correct.

"Chaput is one of the most respected leaders of the Catholic Church in America," he said. "His record is a strong commitment to social and economic justice and the principles of the Catholic faith. He's also a strong patriot.

"Pro-life Democrats who are proud Catholics like myself feel this is an insult to our values."

"The party," he added, "should be aware there are strong pro-life people who are politically successful."

Archbishop Chaput, the leader of 385,000 Catholics in the Denver area, said he was not taking the omission personally.

"I'm happy to see they are having prayer at their sessions," Archbishop Chaput said Monday, "and they have a right to choose whom they want to do that."

[Salvation]

I wonder why? /sarcasm off

The Catholic-Obama Problem (Pope Benedict XVI instructs Catholics about pro-abortion candidates)

Sen. McCain holds private meeting with Archbishop Chaput

[Salvation]

Great prayer.

[Salvation]

This one?

Opinion: Doug Kmiec on McCain v. Obama at Saddleback

[dsc]

“Death Eaters”

OOOOOooooo, good one. I’m stealing it.

[Tax-chick]

Please do - I did!

[Caleb1411]

"Chaput is one of the most respected leaders of the Catholic Church in America," he said. "His record is a strong commitment to social and economic justice and the principles of the Catholic faith. He's also a strong patriot."

No wonder the Dems won't let him near the convention. Any Catholic with truly Biblical principles would be anathema to the pro-abort, pro-socialism, pro-every-country-but-the-United-States Democrats.

[NYer]

No wonder the Dems won't let him near the convention. Any Catholic with truly Biblical principles would be anathema to the pro-abort, pro-socialism, pro-every-country-but-the-United-States Democrats.

You are absolutely right! McCain recently held a private meeting with Archbishop Chaput. I think he got the message!

[Salvation]

The Democrats' Univited Guest

The Democrats' uninvited guest Posted Aug. 19, 2008 11:53 AM || by Phil Lawler || category Commentary

When the leaders of the Democratic Party gather in Denver for their nominating convention, they'll hear from a number of prominent religious leaders. They'll hear from several prominent Catholics, too. But they won't hear from the Archbishop of Denver, points out Julia Duin of theWashington Times.

Archbishop Charles Chaput would be a very, very interesting convention speaker. He's intelligent, witty, modest, and thoughtful. He has taken a special interest in the relationship between religion and politics, as demonstrated by his new book, Render Unto Caesar.

But if you were a Democratic leader… if you were a supporter of Senator Obama… would you want to hand Archbishop Chaput the microphone? Nope. His message would not be congenial to the "pro-choice" crowd.

Ray Flynn, former Boston mayor and later US ambassador to the Vatican, tells the Washington Times that the failure to include Archbishop Chaput is "a serious oversight" on the part of Democratic Party leaders. Serious, yes. Oversight, no. 

[kellynla]

God Bless Archbishop Chaput!

[Scotswife]

Isn’t Pinkerton that scary manly looking nun?