Posted on 09/28/2018 8:47:31 PM PDT by ebb tide
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, September 28, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput rejected criticism leveled against him by pro-gay Cardinal Blase Cupich over an anonymous critique of the Youth Synod working document that Chaput published on First Things last week.
In a letter released today, Cardinal Cupich alleges that the anonymous critique falsifies the truth, displays condescension toward the issues raised by the bishops conferences, and represents a woeful lack of understanding of magisterial teaching.
Chaput maintains the critique did none of those things and insists he supports it.
In brief, the critique alleges that the Instrumentum Laboris being used for the Synod is heavily naturalistic, too focused on the Churchs need to listen rather than teach, presents a distorted definition of vocation, and relays an impoverished understanding of Christian joy.
Chaput says the critique was written by a respected North American theologian and that he published it after having received scores of emails and letters from lay Catholics and clergy concerned about the synods intent.
He also published it after having concluded the critique was substantive enough to warrant much wider consideration and discussion as bishop-delegates prepare to engage the synods theme.
Although currently mired in a scandal involving the removal of a Chicago priest from his parish for burning a LGBT rainbow pride flag, Cardinal Cupich found time to respond to Archbishop Chaput in the form of a letter to First Things, the website that originally published the critique on September 21.
Cupich devoted much of his letter to criticizing the anonymity of the author.
The increasing use of anonymous criticism in American society does not necessarily contribute to healthy public discourse, but in fact can erode it, Cupich warned.
It also raises fundamental questions about why First Things would publish such an anonymous critique.
But Chaput defended the theologians anonymity by stating:
As to the anonymous nature of the critique: I certainly agree with the cardinal that unnamed sources can be regrettable. So is the toxic environment in many of our academic communities that makes them necessary."
Cupich claims that the critique doesnt take into account the fullness of the working documents text. He also accuses it of false reporting and partial truths.
Implying that the critique lacked charity, Cupich says that what is needed now is a concern for the church that is animated by a love for truth and the spirit of synodality.
In his response, Chaput dismissed Cupichs accusation that the critique wasnt motivated by love.
In fact the critique I selected is among the most charitable I've received from scholars, Chaput writes.
Noting how he was grateful for Cupichs useful comments, Chaput nonetheless said he does not disagree with the critique of the Instrumentum.
Still, Chaput continued, a synods working document is a work in progress, open to discussion and adjustment by the Synod Fathers. I'm sure we can count on that process in the upcoming synod conversation.
Ping
"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!" |
I’m jealous of Philadelphia and San Fransico for having REAL Catholic Cardinals. The poser in Chicago is a disgrace.
Chaput is a great man. I met him at a Kateri conference in Spokane. We stayed at the same hotel and shared a bottle of wine with friends. I knew there he should be Pope
AB Chaput's credibility is growing exponentially.
Yeah it's Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. BEFORE he went to San Francisco, he was known for being extremely OUTSPOKEN against the gaystapo crowd, and he hasn't budged an inch since they put him in the homo capital of the USA. Pope Benedict XVI literally put Archbishop Cordileone in the belly of the beast. (I'm reminded of when Republicans appointed the first black U.S. Senator to Jefferson Davis' old Senate seat in Mississippi)
On a side note, Archbishop Cordileone is good friends with my pastor and frequently is a guest on his radio show. They served in seminary together and share very similar ideological views.
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