Posted on 09/01/2015 1:55:02 PM PDT by NYer
In many ways, Philadelphias Archbishop Charles J. Chaput should be a darling of the media: He lives simply; he engages with the culture; hes among the most supportive bishops of the laity in modern history, he communicates in a straight-forward manner, and he makes himself exceptionally accessible to the public.
None of that seems to be enough, however. Recently, Philadelphia magazine ran piece called "Archbishop Charles Chaput: The Hardliner." Even the photo they chose appears to be designed to portray the archbishop as uptight, stern, and removed from his peoples concerns. Less than a month before Pope Francis arrives in the City of Brotherly Love for the World Meeting of Families, it's a profile all too transparent in its agenda.
J.D. Flynn, writing in National Review, who met Chaput as a student and then worked for him for a time, is quick to point this out and says that the media spin in Philadelphia is simply inaccurate:
"Chaput is among the most supportive bishops to laity in the Churchs modern history. He helped laity found movements dedicated to Latino leadership, to campus and youth ministry, and to the development of the 'feminine genius' among young women. Hes made it a point not to direct any of those projects. He offers guidance and he helps cut through ecclesiastical red tape. In Philadelphia, the archbishop has bolstered the lay-led pastoral council, and put qualified laywomen and laymen in nearly every possible leadership position."
Flynn goes on to share that Chaput has, for many years, celebrated a weekly Mass where he waits afterwards to greet anyone who would like to see him, plus hes "a regular at shelters, schools, and religious houses."
But what might surprise people the most is how much time Chaput spends emailing people who want to communicate with him. Flynn himself has been a recipient of such correspondence:
"I am on the lowest professional rung of ecclesiastical bureaucracy. But when I e-mail Chaput, even for a banality, he writes back within hours. When I worked for him, hed often send me e-mails long after I went to bed, and again in the morning well before I got to the office. He corresponds with the media, with faith-seekers, and with those who disagree with him. But his availability is often rewarded with vitriol. Hes probably called a 'faggot,' an 'a**hole,' or a 'pervert' more often than any other churchman. Hes probably told to go to hell twice a week. He remains undeterred."
Flynn is right about Chaput's availability being rewarded with criticism. It was some of Chaputs emails that Philadelphia magazine used in its piece to try and paint the archbishop as an uncaring, harsh cleric who has little in common with the friendly, relationship-building Francis.
Robert Huber, writer of the Philadelphia article, found two people whose email correspondence with Chaput went south after many back and forths about concerns over parish closures. The tone of Chaput's final responses to them, which are printed in the piece, could certainly be considered direct, and even sharp. But anyone who has corresponded with someone over a long period of time and not gotten anywhere can sympathize with Chaput. In fact, a lot of people, let alone other bishops, wouldnt have responded at all. Chaput has not only kept up ongoing correspondence with these peopleone for two yearsbut has taken the time to draw the conversation to a close and offer his prayers, even if he's annoyed while doing it. Archbishops are humans, too.
Of course, none of this is good enough for Huber, who wants a story here one about long-suffering, polite parishioners who simply want to be heard by their Church, versus the powerful man in charge who has no time for their concerns and chastises them harshly.
Ping!
The Archbishop is up to the fight.
He was given a difficult mess to clean up, and budgets to bring under control.
Perhaps the media would be happier if he’d asked Obama for a bailout?
They seem to like that sort of irresponsibility.
God Bless him and all who serve Christ as members of the clergy!
I like this bishop any word he may go Eagle fan on Media that be cool
Calling down angels to strengthen Archbishop Chaput and Pope Francis during this conference on the family.
One of the very few excellent Archbishops in the US. Why do they not like him? Simple answer is because he is a conservative. Read one of his books titled Render Unto Caesar, and you will learn his philosophy.
they do the same with Archbishop Meyers from Newark, NJ. The find the worst picture they too and that’s the one they use while trying to put forth their liberal, progressive agenda.
I type too fast...
They find the worst picture they can find and thats the one they use while trying to put forth their liberal, progressive agenda.
I think Francis may be the False Prophet of Revelation.
Chaput is a “company man.” He’s for open borders and all the rest of USCCB platform, which is the Bush/NWO/Soros platform.
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