Charles J. Chaput facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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| Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia | |
Chaput at Georgetown University
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| Archdiocese | Philadelphia |
| Appointed | July 19, 2011 |
| Enthroned | September 8, 2011 |
| Predecessor | Justin Francis Rigali |
| Successor | Nelson J. Perez |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | August 29, 1970 |
| Consecration | July 26, 1988 by Pio Laghi, John Roach, and James Stafford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 26, 1944 Concordia, Kansas |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Motto | As Christ loved the church |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Charles Joseph Chaput |
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| Reference style |
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| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Charles Joseph Chaput (born September 26, 1944) is an American leader in the Catholic Church. He was the ninth archbishop of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving from 2011 until he retired in 2020. An archbishop is a high-ranking bishop who oversees a large area called an archdiocese.
Before his time in Philadelphia, Chaput was the archbishop of Denver, Colorado, and the bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota. He is a member of the Capuchin Franciscans, a religious group within the Catholic Church.
Chaput is a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas. He is the second Native American to become a bishop and the very first to become an archbishop.
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Early Life and Education
Charles Chaput was born in Concordia, Kansas, on September 26, 1944. He was one of three children. His father's family was French Canadian, and his mother was a Native American from the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe. His grandmother was the last person in his family to live on a reservation, which is land set aside for Native American tribes.
As a young boy, Chaput was enrolled in his mother's tribe. He was given the Potawatomi name Pietasa, which means "rustling wind." He also has a Sioux name, which means "good eagle."
Chaput went to a Catholic grade school in Concordia. When he was 13, he decided he wanted to become a priest. He attended St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, Kansas.
In 1965, Chaput joined the Capuchin Franciscans. He earned a degree in philosophy in 1967. A year later, he made his final promises as a Capuchin friar. He then earned a master's degree in religious education in 1970.
Life as a Priest
Chaput was officially made a priest on August 29, 1970. He earned another master's degree in theology from the University of San Francisco in 1971. For the next few years, he taught theology and was a spiritual guide at St. Fidelis College.
From 1977 to 1983, he held several leadership roles for the Capuchin province in Pittsburgh. In 1987, he was part of a group of Native Americans who welcomed Pope John Paul II during his visit to Phoenix, Arizona.
Career as a Bishop
A bishop is a priest who is chosen to be a leader in the Church. They are in charge of a specific area called a diocese.
Bishop of Rapid City
On April 11, 1988, Pope John Paul II appointed Chaput as the bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota. He was the second priest with Native American heritage to become a bishop in the United States. His official motto is "As Christ Loved the Church," which comes from the Bible.
Archbishop of Denver
On February 18, 1997, Chaput was appointed as the archbishop of Denver, Colorado. An archbishop is a bishop who leads a larger, more important diocese called an archdiocese.
In 2007, Chaput was asked by the Vatican to conduct a special visit to a diocese in Australia. The Vatican was concerned about some of the statements made by the bishop there.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
On July 19, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Chaput as the archbishop of Philadelphia. He took over from Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali, who had retired. Chaput was chosen partly because he had a strong record of handling difficult problems in the Church. He was officially installed on September 8, 2011.
During his time as archbishop, Chaput was elected to represent the U.S. bishops at a special meeting at the Vatican in 2015. Pope Francis accepted Chaput's retirement on January 23, 2020.
Chaput's Views
Role in Public Life
In his book Render unto Caesar, Chaput encouraged Catholics to be active in politics. He argued that people's private beliefs should guide their public actions. He believed that a strong democracy needs all citizens, including religious people, to share their views.
Political Candidates
Chaput has said that for Catholics, being loyal to God and the Church's teachings is very important. In 2004, he spoke about the presidential election. He said that Catholics should think carefully about a candidate's views on important issues before voting for them.
In 2009, he commented on President Barack Obama. He said that in a democracy, people elect public servants, not saviors. In 2016, he said that both major presidential candidates were "deeply flawed."
Immigration
Chaput supports changes to immigration laws. He believes it is a moral duty to help create a path to legal status for most immigrants who are in the country without official permission.
See also
In Spanish: Charles Joseph Chaput para niños
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
