Archbishop Chaput's column

Reconciliation, reparations, and a means to both

Archbishop Charles Chaput announces a new independent program funded by the Philadelphia Archdiocese to compensate survivors of clerical sexual abuse, hoping to repair the damage of the past and bring a measure of peace.

Synod 2018: Some concluding thoughts

Archbishop Chaput is glad to be home from Rome after the month-long synod on youth. Here he reflects on it and asks Philadelphia’s Catholic community to pray for the pope and for the Church as she navigates the future.

Thoughts on the 2018 synod: The power of clarity

Archbishop Chaput turns over his column to Chris Stefanick, who says the church needs to be clear and simple about what exactly we offer the world. Young people need to know we're the Church of the Gospel again.

The issues of the 2018 synod as it opens

As the synod of bishops on youth gets under way in Rome, Archbishop Chaput writes that neither the pope nor the church is served in this time of humiliation and crisis by a meeting overdosed on sentiment and sociology.

Thoughts on the 2018 synod: A view from India

Archbishop Charles Chaput conveys the thoughts of a Catholic young adult from Kerala, India. The church must not speak with evasive fluff like politicians and businessmen, as the working document for the synod on youth does.

Toward a fair and reasonable way forward

In a letter to the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archbishop Charles Chaput explains the commitment to compensate survivors of clergy sexual abuse and to cleanse the church and her ministries of abuse in the future.

On anger, grief and the future

Archbishop Charles Chaput affirms that anger and grief are necessary responses to the latest round of clerical sex abuse scandals, as are the concrete reforms proposed by the USCCB Executive Committee.

Katharine Drexel and the gift of hearing

In an age of relentless noise, silence can help us makes sense of our times, writes Archbishop Charles Chaput. As the remains of St. Katharine move to the cathedral, we can ask her to help us hear the will of God for the Church and for our own lives. 

The Supreme Court and the future of Roe

As soon as Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement earlier this summer, pro-abortion groups began lobbying the U.S. Senate hard to reject any nominee who might question or oppose Roe v. Wade.  The irony here is exquisite. 

Thoughts on the synod: The power of faith

Archbishop Chaput turns his column over to Stefan Johnson, a 26-year-old Philadelphia man and proud Catholic who says young people are longing for clear Catholic teaching and the healing power of Jesus Christ.