Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Sources: Rigali out as leader of Philadelphia Archdiocese (Chaput or Gregory in?)
Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 7/18/11

Posted on 07/18/2011 8:29:07 AM PDT by markomalley

FIVE MONTHS AFTER a grand-jury report blasted the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for failing to investigate claims of sexual abuse by priests against children, Pope Benedict XVI will accept Cardinal Justin Rigali's resignation this week, the Daily News has learned.

The Archdiocese did not return calls yesterday seeking comment on Rigali's expected resignation. But sources close to the Archdiocese confirmed a report Thursday on the National Catholic Reporter's website that Rigali would resign. Blogger Michael Sean Winters, who authored that report, said last night that the announcement likely would be made tomorrow.

Sources told the Daily News yesterday that the front-runner to replace the embattled cardinal is Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, a Native American.

On his blog, Winters also named as a possible successor Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, who would be the first African-American archbishop to become a cardinal. Other candidates suggested by Winters are Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, of Louisville, Ky., and Bishop William Lori, of Bridgeport, Conn.

(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic
KEYWORDS: archbishopchaput
National Catholic Fishwrap's coverage

Also see: Rocco Palmo's rumors and innuendo

Opinionated catholic

Colorado Independent

Communio reports Chaput as a done deal.

1 posted on 07/18/2011 8:29:13 AM PDT by markomalley
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: markomalley
The Satanic Philly Enquirer strikes again. Rigali was in Saint Louis during Bevilacqua's term; Bevilacqua simply approved the findings of an outside counsel set up precisely to prevent the diocese from lapsing into cover-your-butt mode. None of the priests had any subsequent accusations, even with lawyers floating multi-million dollar payoffs to bring "victims" forward.

So why is Rigali retiring? BECAUSE HE'S WELL PAST MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE.

2 posted on 07/18/2011 8:43:47 AM PDT by dangus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dangus

Thanks for confirming what I have gathered from reading earlier smears about this.

I notice that NCR is busy helping the Philly Enquirer with their smear. That’s not a surprise, either. I don’t know who the devil subscribes to that thing. But the bishops should work on ensuring that no money from their pews goes toward any subscriptions.


3 posted on 07/18/2011 8:52:06 AM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

A happy retirement to Archbishop Rigali. The Diocese of Raleigh got a great new bishop from Philadelphia.


4 posted on 07/18/2011 8:55:10 AM PDT by Tax-chick (When politicians are "civil," the Republic is threatened.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cicero
I notice that NCR is busy helping the Philly Enquirer with their smear. That’s not a surprise, either. I don’t know who the devil subscribes to that thing. But the bishops should work on ensuring that no money from their pews goes toward any subscriptions.

NCR has been condemned as heretical since 1968.

Text of NCR Condemnation: Bishop Helmsing charges Heresy

National Catholic Reporter | October 16, 1968


Following is the text of a statement issued by Bishop Charles H. Helmsing of Kansas City - St. Joseph (Mo) Diocese. The statement pertains to the National Catholic Reporter, which is published in the diocese and is an outgrowth of its diocesan newspaper

The Catholic Reporter, formerly the official newspaper of the Kansas City - St. Joseph, was begun by my predecessor under a policy of editorial freedom. That policy of editorial freedom [I] endorsed on my appointment as bishop of Kansas City - St. Joseph. When the National Catholic Reporter was launched, that original policy of editorial freedom was announced as basic to the new publication.

At all times it was presumed that the policy of editorial freedom was none other than that legitimate liberty declared and defended by the Second Vatican Council in its Declaration on Religious Liberty, further defined in the conciliar Decree on Communications, and, likewise, defended in the Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. It could not imply that pseudo-freedom from man's obligations to his Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier in vogue under the standard of the 19th century liberalism. It could not imply, as a conciliar declaration on religious liberty clearly states, freedom in the moral order. As Cardinal Koenig pointed out in his recent address to editors, there is a legitimate freedom of opinion to be exercised by the Catholic press so long as it is absolutely loyal to the Church's teachings. If an editor is to merit the name "Catholic," he must remember "to think with the Church."

As long as the Catholic editor carries the name Catholic, he can never forget that he is a teacher of Christ's revelation. What he writes necessarily touches on faith -- that gift of the Holy Spirit which "we carry in earthen vessels" and by which we accept Christ, the Word of God Incarnate, and His revelation.

The Catholic editor must manifest a reverence which must shine through in his attitude and in his every expression. The Gospel is clear on the destructive effects of ridicule, for example, in recounting of the taunts hurled at Simon Peter: "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth," and their effects on him who, once converted, was to confirm his brethren.

As the editors of the National Catholic Reporter know, I have tried as their pastor, responsible for their eternal welfare, and that of those whom they influence, to guide them on a responsible course in harmony with Catholic teachings. When private conferences were of no avail, as is well known, I had to issue a public reprimand for their policy of crusading against the Church's teachings on the transmission of human life, and against the Gospel values of sacred virginity and dedicated celibacy as taught by the Church.

NOW, AS a last resort, I am forced as bishop to issue a condemnation of the National Catholic Reporter for its disregard and denial of the most sacred values of our Catholic faith. Within recent months the National Catholic Reporter has expressed itself in belittling the basic truths expressed in the Creed of Pope Paul VI; it has made itself a platform for the airing of heretical views on the Church and its divinely constituted structure, as taught by the First and Second Vatican Councils. Vehemently to be reprobated was the airing in recent editions of an attack on the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the virgin birth of Christ, by one of its contributors.
Finally, it has given lengthy space to a blasphemous and heretical attack on the Vicar of Christ. It is difficult to see how well instructed writers who deliberately deny and ridicule dogmas of our Catholic faith can possibly escape the guilt of the crime defined in Canon 1325 on heresy, and how they can escape the penalties of automatic excommunication entailed thereby.

In fairness to our Catholic people, I hereby issue an official condemnation of the National Catholic Reporter. Furthermore, I send this communication to my brother bishops, and make known to the priests, religious and laity of the nation my views on the poisonous character of this publication.

As a bishop, a member of the college of bishops, and one in union with the head of the college, Christ's Vicar on earth, I proclaim with my brother bishops that the Church is, indeed, always in need of reform. This reform is a matter of putting on the mind of Christ, as St. Paul declared, through our contemplation of Christ in His teachings and through our loyalty to the teachings of the Church so painstakingly expressed in recent years in the constitutions, decrees and declarations of the Second Vatican Council.

The status of the world when our Lord came was a deplorable one. We are not surprised that the status of man, wounded by original sin, remains deplorable as long as he does not heed the voice of Christ and his authoritative teacher, his Church. Sociological studies, according to modern techniques, can help us appreciate the status quo -- the exact thinking and acting and attitudes of our people. For this we are grateful. But it is a total reversal of our Divine Lord's policy to imagine for a moment that the disclosure of attitudes through such surveys becomes the norm of human conduct or thinking.

Christ and His apostles preached first and foremost penance, metanoia, the change of mind and heart. The Church continues to do so today, but it finds itself increasingly more frustrated in its teaching of the ideals of our Lord by the type of reporting, editorializing and ridicule that have become the week-after-week fare of the National Catholic Reporter.

IN AS MUCH as the National Catholic Reporter does not reflect the teaching of the Church, but on the contrary, has openly and deliberately opposed this teaching. I ask the editors in all honesty to drop the term "Catholic" from their masthead. By retaining it they deceive their Catholic readers and do a great disservice to ecumenism by being responsible for the false irenicism of watering down Catholic teachings.

I further ask the editors and the board of directors, for the love of God and their fellow men, to change their misguided and evil policy; for it is evident to me that they have already caused untold harm to the faith and morals not only of our laity, but of too many of our priests and religious.

I make this statement with apostolic freedom as given by our Lord to His followers; I make it conscious of the heavy burden that is mine as a bishop, as one enjoined by the Holy Spirit through the pen of St. Paul: "Reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine; for there will come a time when they will not endure the sound doctrines; but having itching ears, will heap up to themselves teachers according to their own lust, and they will turn away their hearing from the truth and will turn aside rather to fables." (2 Tim. 4:2-4)

----------------
Notes:
The underline and bold attributes have been applied to the text for emphasis.
A single underline denotes a capitalization not in the original copy.
The [I] is what probably was under a small (2 space) blank spot on the original copy.
The original had "II Tim. 4." instead of "(2 Tim. 4:2-4)"
Bishop Charles H. Helmsing Hierarchy info here


Kansas City bishop condemns N.C.R., asks change of name

National Catholic Reporter | October 16, 1968 | Volume 4 Number 50


KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Bishop Charles H. Helmsing of Kansas City-St. Joseph has issued an "official condemnation" of the National Catholic Reporter.

The bishop accused the paper of denying "the most sacred values of our Catholic faith" and of making itself "a platform for the airing of heretical views on the church."

After citing material published in recent months, the bishop said: "It is difficult to see how well-instructed writers who deliberately deny and ridicule dogmas of our Catholic faith can possibly escape the guilt of the crime defined in Canon 1325 on heresy, and how they can escape the penalties of automatic excommunication entailed thereby."

The statement continued:
"In fairness to our Catholic people, I hereby issue an official condemnation of the National Catholic Reporter. Furthermore, I send this communication to my brother bishops, and make known to the priests, religious and laity of the nation my views on the poisonous character of this publication."

Later in the statement the bishop said the paper does not reflect the teaching of the church but openly opposes it. Therefore, he said, "I ask the editors in all honesty to drop the term 'Catholic' from their masthead. By retaining it they deceive their Catholic readers and do a great disservice to ecumenism by being responsible for the false irenicism of watering down Catholic teachings."

John J. Fallon, president of the board of directors of the National Catholic Reporter Publishing Co., said there would be no immediate response, pending a forthcoming meeting of the board.

The statement was distributed to press, radio and television media for release Friday. The N.C.R. obtained its copy from a reporter for the Kansas City Star.

Material from the paper cited by the bishop as the basis for his stand included an editorial (N.C.R., July 10) on the "Creed of the People of God" proclaimed by Pope Paul at the close of the Year of Faith, a column by Rosemary Ruether on the perpetual virginity of Mary (N.C.R., Sept. 18) and an essay by Daniel Callahan on the papacy (N.C.R., Oct. 9). The bishop said the editorial was guilty of "belittling" the Creed. On the other articles he said: "Vehemently to be reprobated was the airing in recent editions of an attack on the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the virgin birth of Christ, by one of its contributors. Finally, it has given lengthy space to a blasphemous and heretical attack on the Vicar of Christ."

The bishop recalled also his earlier reprimand to the Reporter (N.C.R., Jan. 18, 1967) for its policies on birth control and celibacy.

The bishop said the policy of editorial freedom under which the paper was launched should be understood in terms of Vatican II declarations on the subject. "There is a legitimate freedom of opinion to be exercised by the Catholic press," he said, "so long as it is absolutely loyal to the church's teachings. If an editor is to merit the name 'Catholic,' he must remember 'to think with the church.'

"As long as the Catholic editor carries the name Catholic, he can never forget that he is a teacher of Christ's revelation. What he writes necessarily touches on faith -- that gift of the Holy Spirit which 'we carry in earthen vessels' and by which we accept Christ, the word of God incarnate, and his revelation."

In an apparent reference to a news story (N.C.R., Oct. 9) reporting a survey of priests' opinions on contraception, the bishop said sociological studies can provide information on the attitudes held by people. "But it is a total reversal of our divine Lord's policy," he added, "to imagine for a moment that the disclosure of attitudes through such surveys becomes the norm of human conduct or thinking."

He said also that the church's effort to preach the ideals of Christ and the spirit of penance is increasingly frustrated by "the type of reporting, editorializing and ridicule that have become the week-after-week fare of the National Catholic Reporter.

The National Catholic Reporter was established in 1964 with the blessing of Bishop Helmsing as an offshoot of the diocesan newspaper but under control of its own board of directors. Besides Fallon, who is a Kansas City attorney and president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the other directors are:
Dan Herr, vice president, president of the Thomas More association, Chicago;
Robert E. Burns, secretary, executive editor, U.S. Catholic, Chicago;
Frank E. Brennan, treasurer, insurance executive and member of the city council of Kansas City, Mo.;
Joseph E. Cunneen, editor with Holt, Rinehart and Winston and managing editor of Cross Currents, New York; the
Rev. Joseph H. Fichter, S.J., sociologist and author, Cambridge, Mass.; the
Rev. Martin E. Marty, Lutheran theologian, associate editor of the Christian Century and a member of the faculty at the University of Chicago;
Donald J. Thorman, publisher, and
Robert G. Hoyt, editor.

Canon 1325, cited by Bishop Helmsing in his statement, reads as follows:
"The faithful are bound to profess their faith publicly whenever silence, subterfuge or their manner of acting would otherwise entail an implicit denial of their faith, a contempt of religion, an insult to God or scandal to their neighbor.
"Any baptized person who while retaining the name of Christian obstinately denies or doubts any of the truths proposed for belief by the divine and Catholic faith is a heretic; if he abandons the Christian faith entirely he is called an apostate; if finally he refuses to be subject to the supreme pontiff or to have communication with the members of the church subject to the pope he is a schismatic.
"Catholics shall not enter into any disputes or conference with non-Catholics -- especially public ones -- without the permission of the Holy See or in urgent cases of the local ordinary."

---------------
Notes:
The underline and bold attributes have been applied to the text for emphasis.
A single underline denotes an unexpected NON-capitalization.
The above Canon Law was prior to the 1983 Code.





5 posted on 07/18/2011 8:56:56 AM PDT by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good-Pope Leo XIII)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: dangus

Thanks for the truth.


6 posted on 07/18/2011 9:12:15 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
Father Z's take on this: "The next Archbishop of Philadelphia, gossip, and my proposals to readers"

We may read soon about a nomination of a new Archbishop of Philadelphia.  Philadelphia has long brought elevation to the cardinalate.  So once did St. Louis and Detroit.  Conditions change.

The main candidate I have heard about for Philadelphia is Archbp. Chaput of Denver, but until the actual announcement is made, speculating might be fun but it is effectively empty.

People had been saying that, before TSHTF in Philadelphia, perhaps Card. Rigali might be able to take over the post that the ailing Card. Foley had, thus re-moving Card. Rigali to Rome.  But that would be Card. Law 2.0 and, therefore, a p.r. disaster, no?

PROPOSAL 1: May I recommend that you stop, now, and say a prayer to the guardian angels of those who must make this decision?

The priests and people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia must really be anxious these days and the appointment there mustn’t be reduced to the nattering of teens on the telephone.

Include the Holy Father in your prayers, for this appointment must perforce have his direct involvement.

Whether the appointment comes swiftly, as I suspect, or slowly, which is possible, your prayers will not be in vain.  I think they would be appreciated by our brethren in Philadelphia and also in the Congregation of Bishops.

These are difficult times.  The devil is abroad and has great wrath.  The appointment of bishops is always very important and difficult.  The bigger the see, the more important the choice, as we have seen to our great consternation.

PROPOSAL 2: If your diocese is presently “sede vacante“, for each minute of gossip – which will go on anyway – spend 10 in prayer.


7 posted on 07/18/2011 9:52:51 AM PDT by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good-Pope Leo XIII)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

Raleigh Has a Bishop from Philly who saw under his direct watch His Spiritual Advisor for Seminarians caught with Child Pornography on His Computer!By The FBI..Just before Rigali arrived He also had the worst Vocation Record in the Last 2 Decades.He was removed from overseeing Seminary under Rigali Re-organzation. He over saw the Demise of the Catholic Standard and Times and internal Irregularities! He didn’t have a Plan to Brief any of His employees or Seminarians about 1st Grand Jury Panel. He Supported Publicly a Pro Abortion Insurance Executive... His Brother was given a Job in Charge of Printing and Mail room reporting within his domain of responsibilities, Nepotism! Did He Play the Philly sports Card well with Public You Betcha.. with Season Tickets To Eagles and Phillies. The Marketing Communications Head Voice of the Diocese is a Pro Choice Catholic he Hired!THe Husband Ran a Campaign bestowing his PRO ABORTION credentials in a 75% Catholic Delaware County Race ..he lost Fortunately! Bishop Chaput would be the Best Hire Bishop Lori 2nd Bishop Wilton Gregory is spineless decisionmaker and Social Justice Cheerleader!!


8 posted on 07/18/2011 10:18:22 AM PDT by philly-d-kidder (AB-Sheen"The truth is the truth if nobody believes it,a lie is still a lie, everybody believes it")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
I don't think that other thread was a dupe as it confirms Chaput as Cardinal.

Which, BTW, has to be the greatest thing to happen in Philly since the constitutional congress.

9 posted on 07/18/2011 2:01:00 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("America will cease to be great when America ceases to be good." -- Welcome to deToqueville.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the invisib1e hand
the Almighty has apparently compensated philly for what an awful and despicable place it is.

I'm jealous.

10 posted on 07/18/2011 2:02:45 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("America will cease to be great when America ceases to be good." -- Welcome to deToqueville.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: markomalley; Admin Moderator
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2750373/posts

think this is an update, not a dupe.

11 posted on 07/18/2011 2:05:15 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("America will cease to be great when America ceases to be good." -- Welcome to deToqueville.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley; Admin Moderator
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2750373/posts

think this is an update, not a dupe.

12 posted on 07/18/2011 2:05:33 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("America will cease to be great when America ceases to be good." -- Welcome to deToqueville.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the invisib1e hand

Or maybe rewarded Philly for being historically one of the most conservative dioceses in the country. ;)

I’m very excited about this.


13 posted on 07/18/2011 2:44:58 PM PDT by Claud
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Pretty sad. Rigali cleaned up a lot of the mess that May didn’t get to here and he was completely cooperative with local authorities. This smells like a witch hunt.


14 posted on 07/18/2011 3:11:32 PM PDT by Desdemona ( If trusting the men in the clergy was a requirement for Faith, there would be no one in the pews.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson