Archbishop Chaput takes helm in Philadelphia {Catholic/Orthodox Caucus}

Delco Times ^ | 9 Sep 2011 | Maryclaire Dale

[Cronos]

Archbishop Charles Chaput took the helm of the troubled Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia on Thursday by telling followers "the church is not defined by her failures."

The outspoken Chaput didn't shy away from veiled references to the church's woes, chief among them the clergy sex-abuse crisis.

"The church is not defined by her failures. You and I are not defined by critics or those who dislike us," he said in his first homily at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. "What we do in the coming months and years to respond to these challenges — that will define who we really are."

Chaput, 66, is known as a conservative leader devoted to evangelism and social justice. He has also been outspoken about his disapproval of "cafeteria Catholics," such as Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

In a lighter moment in his homily Thursday, the new arrival from Denver likened his Philadelphia post to "an arranged marriage" — with the pope as matchmaker. But he said arranged marriages work if people get to know and love each other.

"The good news is that romance is a modern invention — and given the divorce rate, not everything it's cranked up to be," he said.

Chaput inherits an archdiocese of nearly 1.5 million people reeling from two grand jury reports since 2005 about the priest sexual-abuse crisis.

Three priests and a former Catholic school teacher await a March trial on charges they raped children, while Monsignor William Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged for allegedly transferring priest-predators to new parishes. Chaput said this week that Lynn should not become "a scapegoat" for the archdiocese.

"We're excited. I think he's the right fit for our situation," Barbara Miller, 47, of Bryn Mawr, who attended the Mass with her husband Peter. They are raising two sons in the church.

"I think he's going to bring energy and life and vitality back to the archdiocese, and unite us all," she said.

[Cronos]

He's the right fit.

[Salvation]

May he bring the Catholics who are away from the church in that area back to a belief in the Real Presence and reverence.

[AHerald]

May he bring the Catholics who are away from the church in that area back to a belief in the Real Presence and reverence.

Amen. Amen.

[afraidfortherepublic]

As a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe, Archbishop Chaput was the second Native American to be ordained bishop in the United States, and the first Native American archbishop.

Official Biography

I did not know that Chaput is a Native American. I have aways admired this man.

[StonyBurk]

If this non-Catholic could have a voice— I would advise the
Catholic church to market and to model the man Chaput. I am
deeply impressed with his actions as a man of God.The world need more men like him.The Catholic church would do well by
following where he would lead.

[Cronos]

The thing is that the Church is not about one clergyman, not an Archbishop, not a Pope, not a priest, not even about one lay person.

We are not clustered around these individual priests/pastors/laity -- so if one is a great saint or a great sinner, he/she can be a great role-model or an example of letting sin rule, BUT The Church is more than that -- If we have a sin filled priest (and hey, they are human after all), that matters not. If they are criminals boot them in prison, that doesn't affect our Church. If they can't preach, that matters not.

Because we look beyond this human vessel and focus on Christ in the Eucharist.

During this, the great Holy Prayer to God, the Divine Liturgy we focus on God right from the time when we enter in holding aloft the Word of God, singing praises to God, through to hearing His Word, singing praises to Him while meditating on His Word. At the Eucharist we we look on in awe at Jesus Christ, our Lord, God and Savior in the Eucharist, fulfilling His promise to us and giving us the graces in communion. We leave the Church with joy, Christ in our hearts and the Holy Spirit indwelling in us with the grace of the Father.

The priest, the archbish, even if he is a fantastic preacher, a motivational speaker, a great man, we still must focus on our High Priest who is there in every mass -- on Jesus Christ whose mission, teachings, sacrifice and resurrection we remember each time we pray.

[StonyBurk]

True —and True. I do not worship any man-for as it is written There are none good,but One. I respect men like the Arch- bishop for he has seemed to speak well for his church.And in that respect I think the church would do well to follow his example, follow where he will lead-keeping in mind those things you have said.For any man may err.