Pope taps Chaput for Philadelphia

[Matilda]

DENVER -- Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, widely perceived both as a leader of the church's conservative wing and a tough administrator with a strong work ethic, has been named by Pope Benedict XVI as the new archbishop of Philadelphia.

(snip)

Far more outspoken, Chaput has emerged over the years as a prominent lightning rod for controversy. He's seen as a strong voice for doctrinal orthodoxy, and he champions a robust role for people of faith in political life.

Among other battles, Chaput has clashed with pro-choice Catholic politicians, publicly rebuked the University of Notre Dame for awarding an honorary doctorate to President Barack Obama, and has been a strong force in national debates over gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research.

Chaput also has also sternly called Catholics to adhere to church teaching. In a recent address to a group of Catholic social workers, for instance, he insisted that church-affiliated charities "have the duty to faithfully embody Catholic beliefs on marriage, the family, social justice, sexuality, abortion and other important issues."

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-taps-chaput-philadelphia


This interest me, of course, because of his role in the sacking of Bishop Morris of Toowoomba. And because Benedict has chosen to appoint a hardliner from outside the diocese. He did this when he appointed George Pell as Archbishop of Sydney – it was widely seen as a move intended to bring Sydney Catholics, regarded as progressive, into line. (I don't think it's worked, although the move was welcomed by conservatives).

[hedgehog]

1. Face palm

[47of74]

2. Here, let me help you with that;