Pope will appoint Archbishop Chaput to lead Philadelphia archdiocese

cna ^ | July 18, 2011

[NYer]

Vatican City, Jul 18, 2011 / 05:22 pm (CNA).- A Vatican source has confirmed that on July 19 Pope Benedict XVI will appoint Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver as the shepherd of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Several news outlets began to report on July 18 that Archbishop Chaput will lead the Philadelphia archdiocese beginning this coming September.

Archbishop Chaput’s appointment was confirmed to CNA late on Monday 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 tomorrow.

[SuziQ]

Awesome! Those folks in Philly won’t know what hit em!

[murron]

My husband and I met then Father Chaput in Rapid City back in 1991 when he spoke at a STOP Planned Parenthood function. He spoke very eloquently and we were very impressed with him. I wonder if he will be named a Cardinal sometime in the future?

[marshmallow]

Red hat.........soon to be Cardinal.

[Rushmore Rocks]

“Cardinal sometime in the future?”

Of that, I have no doubt.

[MinuteGal]

Father Chaput was born in Kansas. He is 67.

His father was a French Canadian who claimed to be a direct descendent of King Louis IX.

His mother was a member of the Potawatomi Indian tribe, as is he.

Fr. Chaput has criticized the "spirit of adulation bordering on servility that exists toward Barack Obama", remarking, "In democratic societies we elect public servants, not messiahs."

What's not to like here, folks!

God bless this good priest as he assumes his new and heavy responsibilities.

Leni

[old and tired]

Not sure. We saw the Cardinal shortly after the grand jury report came out and we thought he looked noticably more frail than when we'd last attended a Mass at which he was presiding (probably 2 years ago).

Although I believe Msgr. Lynn does belong in jail (along with the now feeble minded, elderly Cardinal Bevilacqua), I also think the sex abuse story here has been overblown. Many of these priests in the grand jury report have very weak accusations against them. Of course there are a few allegations that are very damning and that is why Lynn belongs in jail.

I do not know how much Cardinal Rigali had to do with it. Personally, I don't feel he bears much resposibility. Most people I know feel the bulk of the blame falls on Msgr. Lynn and Cardinal Bevilacqua.

[Domestic Church]

I have been praying for this for many years.

[Biggirl]

Sorry, I was so tired last night, I wanted to say, “never stop learning in life” both in faith and in non-faith areas, such as cooking.

[Biggirl]

I have heard he has done a good job with the Archiocese of Denver.

[eric.c.olsen]

I agree about the weak accusations. Father Andrew McCormick who was pastor at sacred heart in swedeburg next to bridgeport had a weak accusation lodged against him from what I understand. He is a very good priest and we want him back soon!!