Photo by James BacaBy Mary DeTurris Poust
Yesterday it was rumored and then reported by unnamed sources. Today it is official: Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., to succeed Cardinal Justin Rigali as Archbishop of Philadelphia. A live newscast will be held at 10 a.m. Eastern time and can be viewed at the archdiocesan website at www.archphila.org.
Archbishop Chaput, 66, a member of the Orders of Friars Minor, Capuchin, has been the Archbishop of Denver since 1997, where he has been known for his strong leadership and clear teaching on the Catholic faith and the moral and social issues of our time. A member of the Prairie Band Potowatami Tribe, he is the second Native American to be ordained a Bishop in the United States and the first Native American Archbishop.
He will be installed in Philadelphia on Thursday, September 8, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
Archbishop Chaput posted the news on Facebook this morning. "I am in Philly now. Please pray for me and our Church at this very important time. More info to come," he wrote. The archbishop heads to Philadelphia at a time when the Church there has been rocked by the sexual abuse crisis.
Cardinal Rigali, who reached retirement age (75) in April 2010, will serve as apostolic administrator until Archbishop Chaput is installed. He has led the Philadelphia Archdiocese since 2003.
