Posted on 03/03/2005 1:55:42 PM PST by NYer
DENVER, March 3, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Denver’s Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput has appeared frequently in LifeSiteNews.com reports as one of the strongest episcopal voices defending the rights of Christians to participate in public life and defend the rights of the unborn. His quick response style has earned him the high regard of many pro-life leaders and the respect even of the radically pro-abortion New York Times.
This week he faced off with a hostile crowd who peppered him with the usual sophomoric accusations Catholics have learned to expect from their ideologically motivated opponents. In the latest round, the Archbishop spoke to a crowd of Denver civic and business leaders at the City Club of Denver on “Church, State and Politics.”
One woman asked, “Why do (religions) feel they have to impose their views on us?” Without pause, the Chaput replied, “If we don't - you'll impose your views on us.”
Another asked, “When is the church going to agree to pay taxes?”
“I run 50 Catholic schools that keep you from paying more taxes - is that worth it to you?” Chaput shot back.
In his address Chaput pointed out that the work he has done on behalf of the poor and homeless and against the death penalty has been nearly ignored by the press. “As a Church, more than 80 percent of our time, resources, ministry personnel and lobbying efforts go to issues that have nothing to do with abortion. But you’ll never see that on anybody’s front-page either, because it isn’t news.” He pointed out that the normal life of the Catholic Church is to defend the poor and helpless. In fact, he said, “It’s so normal that nobody pays attention – until they disagree.”
In the inevitable attack on the Church’s prohibition of abortion the Archbishop showed that his feelings, not just his mind, were engaged. He said, “That dear baby who gets aborted is who I'm protecting. Somebody doesn't just get hurt with abortion - they get killed.”
“Who will take care of the unwanted children?” another asked.
“I'll take any child that's unwanted and find them a home and take care of the mother,” he said. “You have my personal pledge on that.”
Domenico Bettinelli, an editor of Catholic World News said, “This is a bishop with backbone… the very fact that he was willing to move beyond the comfort of the chancery to engage a sometimes hostile crowd on the most controversial issues of the day, sets Archbishop Chaput apart from the rest of the crowd.”
Read the text of the Archbishop’s address:
http://www.archden.org/archbishop/docs/03_01_05_fa...
Thank you for this piece of information .... I was not aware of it.
You are too funny! Thanks for the reminders (I learn more from the converts than from the cradle catholics :-).
Actually, those early bishops were bishops before England was Anglican -- Polk of course was an American Episcopal bishop and also a Confederate general (killed at Pine Mountain during the Atlanta campaign).
Archbishop Chaput is a Capuchin like Padre Pio
NYer responded with:
Thank you for this piece of information .... I was not aware of it.
There are a number of Provinces for the Capuchins. Archbishop Chaput, when he was in Pennsylvania, was part of the MidWest Province.
Then the MidWest split into the MidWest [Pennsylvania etc]and Mid-America [Kansas, Colorado, Dakotas, Rockie Mountain States].
Father Benedict Groeschel was a Capuchin, but he wanted reforms in the Capuchins here, and was not patient, so he formed his own order -- Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
But that is sort of how the Capuchins came into being -- the Franciscans were badly splintered into many small orders (about 400 to 600 years ago). The Pope put an end to this, and the result was the OFM and Conventional Friars.
The Capuchins were an attempt to reform both the OFM and the Conventional Friars -- which succeeded. Father Solanus Casey is also a Capuchin. He is deceased, but in the canonization process [somewhere -- maybe still Venerable].
OFM are the Friars Minor or little brothers, which is how St Francis of Assisi thought of himself.
The Capuchins are OFM Capuchins. I think if you look at various things at the Archdiocese of Denver website, you will see something like OFM cap after Archbishop Chaput's name.
GRRRRRRR!!! In other words, if no one wants them we should kill them. And if that's the case, we should kill all living unwanted children. GRRRRRRR!!!
Satan is alive and well.
That one drives me crazy - Because a child is unwanted, it deserves death?
Wow!
This guy is a leader.
In 1985, I visited Assisi. At the Porziuncola, I asked St. Francis to intercede on my behalf. That prayer was granted by our Lord, in a miraculous way and I am forever indebted to this saint.
Pax et Bonum
I met the bishop at two Kateri conferences - Memphis and Spokane. Actually shared a few glasses of wine one evening in Spokane. He is a treasure of the Church. We need more like him.
I recently learned that our bishop here in the Diocese of Monterey is going to be term-limited out (mandatory retirement) next summer. I hope his successor is along the lines of Archbishop Chaput.
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