Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. (CNS photo/Bob Roller/Jeffrey Bruno)
Archbishop Charles Chaput is asking Pope Francis to call off the synod of bishops in Rome on the concerns of young people in the church, set for this October.
“I have written the Holy Father and called on him to cancel the upcoming synod on young people. Right now, the bishops would have absolutely no credibility in addressing this topic,” the archbishop said at an Aug. 30 conference at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, according to a report by the website LifeSiteNews.
In its place the archbishop suggested that the pope “begin making plans for a synod on the life of bishops,” the archbishop said.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia spokesman Ken Gavin confirmed the archbishop sent his letter to the pope but Gavin offered no additional comments.
The conference at which the archbishop spoke was the Cardinal’s Forum, an academic panel discussion sponsored by the Cardinal John Foley Chair of Social Communications and Homiletics and the Cardinal John Krol Chair of Moral Theology, both at the seminary.
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The archbishop, who is set to participate in the synod on youth, was one of three panelists speaking Thursday night on the topic “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment,” which is the theme of the long-planned synod set for Oct. 3-28 in Rome.
Hundreds of bishops and young people representing youth from across the globe will engage in discussions at that meeting. Typically at such synods the pope is present at some of the conferences. After the synods’ conclusion the bishops make recommendations that are meant to advise the pope as he formulates pastoral policy to address the specific issues.
Pope Francis had previously confirmed Archbishop Chaput, who is chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, as one of only five American bishops to attend the synod, all of whom were elected by their peers in the USCCB.
They include, in addition to Archbishop Chaput: Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, USCCB president; Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, USCCB vice president; Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Conn., member, USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth; and Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert E. Barron, chairman, USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis.
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Calls for reform in the Catholic hierarchy have risen throughout the summer as the clergy sexual abuse scandal has intensified, with bishops across the globe coming under scrutiny for their role in covering up, if not participating in, cases of abuse of children and young adults.
Among Catholic clergy and laity, confidence in the credibility of Catholic bishops has eroded due to a number of recent high-profile scandals.
These include the case of former Washington Archbishop Theodore McCarrick sexually abusing seminiarians, the Pennsylvania grand jury report on 70 years of clergy child sexual abuse in the state and the explosive letter of Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano alleging the cover up of McCarrick’s abuse by bishops in the United States and in the Vatican.
In a story that broke Aug. 31, Bishop Edward Burns of Dallas echoed Archbishop Chaput’s comments by calling for an extraordinary synod to address the issues of clergy sexual abuse and accountability by bishops.
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You Bishop Chaput are in my prayers to Our Lady of the Flame of Love. Pray to her daily. I will include all priests in my prayers to her as my birthday present on Saturday.
What is not needed is more public guidance from any bishop on what Pope Francis should do. As Pope Francis said what is needed is prayer and silence! The pope hasn’t been accused of on-going cover-up. He was a Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires for many years when he took public buses into the ghetto to be close to the poor. He didn’t even have the 2002 Charter, yet no cover-up? Only a retired archbishop who lost his job speaks scurrilously of Pope Francis. Luke 17:2 nicely gives perspective to the righteous bishops: It would be better for such a person to be thrown into the sea with a millstone round the neck than to be the downfall of a single one of these little ones. Oremus pro invicem.
I agree wi ththe archbishop. now is the time for agressive action. There should be only one item on the agenda—zero tolerance for any kind of abuse or assault by members of the clergy.
When I was a public school superintendent I had a simple rule for students and staff: A school is not a safe place to commit a crime. Then have the COURAGE to call law enforcement.
Wherever you find human beings you will find disaffection and corruption. It is not peculiar, let alone singular, to the Church. That so much corruption has been exposed is disheartening and wounding.. Nonetheless, let the truth be exposed. Let those responsible take the fall. There is talk about how the Church will survive. Church History nails it for us: Whatever the corruption, whatever efforts on the part of some prelates to sink Peter’s vessel, it remains afloat. This is not the result of human agency but the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. In the end, the Holy Spirit prevails. The Church may take a lashing. It may be reduced in numbers. But the good seed will always grow anew under the guidance of good and holy servants. God bless our Archbishop! Where he leads, I will follow – gladly!
Dear Archbishop Chaput ,
Are we living the early days of the Church ?
God bless you and watch over you. Thank-you for your holy faith and your strengths to uphold the traditional beauty and beliefs of our beautiful Catholic faith. You are a true instrument of our Lord!
I prayed to Our Lady of the Flame of Love to guide all Bishops. I had worked at Devereux who took care of sexualy abused children.I had a boy boy who was abused from infancy. I pray to God for help.
Thank you Archbishop for your courage and action on behalf of our youth!
My guess is that ABp Chaput doesn’t meant to cancel indefinitely the Synod on Youth, but to address what really has a higher priority at the present time of this horrendous scandal. The Synod on Youth can take place at an appropriate time.
I still do not believe a synod is going to address the REAL underlying issues present. The sexual abuse of children by clergy is abhorrent and reprehensible. However, there is an umbrella of entitlement and clericalism which all leaders of the church MUST address. I mourn for the good priests of our church; I also mourn for the lay faithful who believe we are tolerated by a Church who feels they have all the answers and they need to “teach” us how to live our lives of faith, when many priests do not. Abp. Chaput, you are a GOOD leader. I beg you to listen to us, the laity. We love our Church too. Be open to what we have to say…what we need to say. Nothing bad will happen by open dialogue, painful as it might be. I believe the Holy Spirit will be with us and we begin this process of purification.
Archbishop- You confirm my belief in the ultimate goodness of the Church and most of its leaders- Thanks for a job well done even though I’m certain you did it knowing you would be in the clerical doghouse- Took guts and I appreciate it
Jesus never restricted the 12 apostles to celibacy. Peter and others were married. The church needs to open up the priesthood to married priests.
Eliminate the pedophiles and practicing homosexuals and hetero adulterers from leadership. Repent, pray and fast.
Protestant ministers, Jewish rabbis, Islamic clergy, etc., are all allowed to be married, and they have sex abuse scandals with children too. Allowing married priests will not solve this problem, and truth is that most seminaries in the US (like ours) have cracked down hard on seminarians who do not live up to the church’s teachings.
Also, frankly, in today’s society, homosexuals no longer have a reason to hide in the Church since society is now “open” to homosexuals. However, the priesthood (just like all clergy from every single religion), teaching, coaching, etc are all places where child abusers like to work … regardless if they are married or not.
I agree with the Archbishop the synod should be changed to focus on the bishops. In a sense, the subject would still be caring for the young in that how to protect them from priests and bishops (never thought I would have to say those words). However, at this point, I think any meeting which is making recommendations to be carried out by the Vatican, in light of recent developments, is just as ludicrous as the bishops deciding how to care for the young.
Reading here https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/12/catholic-church-fights-clergy-child-sex-abuse-measures that the Bishops conference has spent $5.2 Million lobbying in Pennsylvania last year to oppose legislation to lift the statute of limitations does nothing but crush their credibility. It sends the message that we want to protect the criminals.
Only truth, justice and recompense can begin to resolve this — not prayer and fasting for the laity those brothers, sisters, mothers fathers and children were the victims.. The Church has acted and continues to act with willful blindness on this issue.
While abuse is a moral failing, it is also a crime. To conspire to cover up a crime is a crime in and of itself, and makes the conspirator no better than the doer of the original crime..
The Bishops need to wake up
I wish the bishops in their commentary in print and interviews would stop referring to themselves in the third person. “The bishops should do this or do that.” Speak in the first person. “We” need to take action. “We” need to be responsible.” “We” need to be held accountable. Speaking in the third person places one’s self on the outside looking in. My opinion.
I agree with you, Archbishop Chaput, thank you.
Thank-you your Excellency! You have the pulse of the people. This is not the time for the bishops to be considering anything except how to purify the Church of the great evils of sexual abuse and other sins against chastity. The truth will set us free, but only if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Now is the time for repentance, conversion and a new dedication to chastity.
Thank you.. We The laypeople of the Catholic Church, are looking for those who will help guide us through these difficult times. We have Few of the hierarchy, that we feel we can trust. Please Archbishop, we are voice. Help us to fight for the truth.
Part of which makes you Catholic is your over regard and over respect for, even worship of, authority. It’s the same thing that caused the scandals in the first place. Come off your ridiculous sanctimony and start dealing with churchmen as real humans, as opposed to quasi deities.
Archbishop, go to the synod to listen. At this point in time our teaching is nothing but a clanging cymbal. Go to the synod on youth and humbly listen…..listen
Thank you,Archbishop, and thank you Anne ! These are the Bishops who have been consistently working for the Church before angry and suffering individuals who demand action NOW ! Our love and prayers are with those whose lives have been so deeply affected.There will be justice and recompense as we are asked for our ongoing prayers, fasting, and personal repentance for our own faithful members.Jesus has promised to be with us until the end of time,and He always keeps His promises.
Not a well thought out request. Youth are our future. The current crop of bishops, thanks be to God, are not!
Why? Is it because you favor further abuse and corruption? What would youth have to say at this point when the leader of our church says nothing. Keeping it silent and swept under the rug? Why, because he’s guilty? How can you think that the best course of action?? You have no moral authority. None.
Thank you.
God bless you.
Abp. Chaput has recommended a practical course that would demonstrate collective remorse on the part of the world’s Catholic bishops and something like a purpose of amendment, instead of just talking about it. While they are at it, the American bishops could abstain from holding every other meeting of the USCCB, or two out of every three.
Well DONE Good and faithful Servant! YOU ARE LEADING!
An excellent idea. In the event the bishops decline to cancel, Bishop Chaput would make a profound statement by refusing to attend himself.
The depth of the laity’s anger with the church today is not fully appreciated by our Catholic leaders. I strongly recommend that the Bishop begin encouraging a dialog between the laity and all the priests of the diocese on this horrendous abuse of power. Angry voices need to be heard. This kind of dialog is the beginning of a healing and a return to trust.
I agree with Archbishop Chaput on this however, there are flock to be attended to in his own fields here in Downingtown, PA
If the original synod is NOT cancelled, at least there COULD be additional days added for THIS discussion.
I agree with Archbishop Chaput that the Bishops have no creditability, but I don’t think a synod of finger pointing bishops and a pope who has his own creditability problem will accomplish anything. The faithful will not be satisfied anymore with the Church policing itself. The fox guarding the hen house does not work! Something more is required and it must involve the laity.
The bishops should resign! The have destroyed our church. There is a petition online for Catholics to sign to demand the bishops to resign. Like Ghandi said if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. The laity has to take their Church back. Accountability must be a top priority.
Young people cannot feel 100% safe with their clergy and – thanks to the DA – parents know that some bishops do not have their children’s back. Archbishop Chaput made the right call and sent the message Pope Francis needed to hear. Catholics must know their children’s physical safety – whether seminarians or preschool – are our bishop’s #1 concern. I’d suggest the bishops meet instead to discuss Archbishop’s Vigano’s concerns.
Archbishop,
You’re the man!!!!! Thank you for your courage and your true devotion to the truth. Thank you for your proposal to the Pope. I pray that other bishops will follow your lead and that the Pope will respond positively to your suggestion.
P.S. Thanks Fr. Matt for your input too. I pray that all our colleagues chime in and not let the laity be the only ones that respond.
We will continue to pray for Archbishop Chaput and that this letter will be read and followed. I am a convert of 57 years and when I left the Lutheran church I never thought we would live through anything like the Reformation. We all need to pray to the Holy Spirit that this crisis will be overcome and that bishops/cardinals wake up and become “shepherds” and smell like sheep. This crisis warrants a Council to clean up the mess…………..
Thank you for your leadership at this crucial hour in the church. I will pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire Pope Francis to do the right thing and bring together a bishop’s synod in lieu of the Youth Synod. God bless you for your perservance!
This is a VERY hopeful sign that Archbishop Chaput sees the danger of “business as usual” or sticking with a rationale where “it’s not so bad today as it was then.” The credibility of the Church and of its leaders on the line. This shows that we may reflect back on this and say that Philadelphia’s leadership answered God’s call to transformation. As John XXIII said, “time to open the windows — WIDE” and let the Light in!
I whole heartedly agree with Lou Baldwin’s sentiments. Well stated ! But what about “the elephant in the room ” – is the Pope himself culpable in the cover-up ? The Church MUST clean house. Action – not just words.
I agree with Mr Baldwin’s comment.
Most importantly, inclusion of the “laity” in this process, at any level.
The church isn’t one to air dirty laundry, but it is now time to do so. They won’t like it.
Enough is enough!!!
Thank you Archbishop Chaput!
The Evil One is alive and about, but we stand on the promise of Our Lord Jesus Christ “…the gates of hell shall not prevail against us”. Your suggestions are a huge step in the right direction.
Bravo and great idea Archbishop. Thank you for being a great leader who sees what is needed and is not afraid of speaking up. You are a blessing to us.
I am so grateful that the Archbishop is making this stance. This is a Shepherd who is reading the signs of the times and proposing a way to begin resolving all this.
I am also grateful to our Archbishop Chaput for his timely and direct request
Of our Pope. we must do more than only pray.
The Archbishop is right. How can the bishops give guidance to the young when these scandals (in PA & the testimony of ++Vigano) are occurring?
Imo, the parable of the beam in the eye seems very apropos.
May God bless Archbishop Chaput and give him strength.
God bless the Archbishop for speaking out. How can the bishops meet in the synod with these scandals occurring? The parable of the beam in the eye seems very apropos at this time imo.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Dear Archbishop,
I am happy that you are calling on our Holy Father to have a synod with the bishops. However, I dont agree that the
Holy Father should cancel the Youth Synod. I think he needs to be transparent with these young people who are the FUTURE of our church. Canceling appears to me to be ignoring our youth who so need direction at this time. I am deeply upset with the bishops and would like you to truly police those who have so deeply hurt our church who are the victims of this horrific abuse. You are descendants of the Apostles who lived and died for our Lord and Savior. Jesus taught love, mercy, compassion and these bishops did the exact opposite. Why would you allow your unfaithful brothers to continue in this capacity?! Speak out against them! Demand that they resign! There is no room in the Catholic Church for this behavior! I LOVE my Catholic Faith but it is found on the love and mercy of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. HE is the basis of my Faith. To restore faith in the hierarchy of our church you need to clean house! Early in his pontificate, our Holy Father told the priest and bishops that if they want to be shepherds they must smell like the sheep!!! I haven’t seen a bishop yet who practices this. I HAVE seen some good priests in our diocese that do and have restored my faith in our leadership! Clericalism has to stop! We are all equal in the eyes of God! I am on the Board of Directors of St Gianna’s shrine and pray to imitate her virtues to love God above all and HIs people! She is the shining example of what it means to be a Catholic. Her daughter, Gianna, lives this beautiful life, too and deserves to be put on a pedestal. However, her love, compassion and humility would never allow this! I beg you archbishop to stand with the people of God and ask for the resignation of these bishops who have hurt the people of God, our Church so deeply!
In order for complete, and correct resolution to this scandal that plagues the Roman Catholic Church, the required transparency needs to begin with the Papacy. It is time to end the doublespeak on all levels of the Church hierarchy. The Church needs to deal with this, without delay. I would not expect our youth to gain all that should be possible within the Youth Synod with this horrendous darkness that hangs over us. The youth in our Community are current and informed. They have the same questions and concerns for our Catholic Church, as do their parents, and all of the adult, faithful. We cannot expect them to leave a synod, held in October, with a passionate zeal for their Catholic faith while they would still be carrying, unanswered questions about their safety, and that of the upcoming young. We, and especially our adolescents and young adults need to know and be assured that the Catholic Church is on solid biblical ground. Otherwise, this is church built on sand.
I totally agree with you, Anne. We need to clean house and keep it clean!
Well said Anne Billas;
Cancelling a synod that focuses on our faithful youth who, no doubt, have been planning their travels for months, to attend the conference.
We want to show the them how important they are to the church, to its leadership, and most of all, to Jesus.
I love how your message was so emphatically merciful and accepting of people, especially our youth.
At the same time; we need to be clear, there is no tolerance for the clergy who prayed on the weak and innocents who were entrusted to their care within the church.
People need to be dismissed from church leadership – and before this conference takes place. Whatever information that came to light and caused the scandal should be enough to evaluate and dismiss a number of clergy, bishops, leaders, who violated the trust of our faith and love.
Falling short of expelling those who are responsible for transgressions or covering them up prevents the church from being the organization that represents God to all the gentiles who we want to attract.
Synods are nice, but from what I gather they are quite controlled. Ponderous statements may come out but often not much is accomplished.This is the most serious crisis the Catholic Church has faced since the Protestant Reformation. What is needed is a full-blown ecumenical council. The Council of Trent,in spite of some flaws did spark real reform.
But this time a Council should include voting laity, since it was the laity that was most injured in the current scandal.. Also there should be consultation with our brethren in other Christian denominations. Why is Roman Catholicism most affected by clerical child abuse?
I agree and support Archbishop Chaput’s letter to the Pope.
I strongly support any forum that would meet to include the laity in the process. The church may not approve of airing its dirty laundry, but enough is enough.
Time to end this now.
Read the available reports about sexual abuse, Lou.
We RC’s certainly are the most reported, but definitely not the most affected — not by a couple of orders of magnitude.
Right on, Mr. Baldwin!
Why? The reason this and other scandals have targeted the RCC is precisely because IT IS THE CHURCH founded by Christ. Do not be deceived…Satan wants nothing else but to destroy it. Considering the other Christian denominations is a mistake in my opinion. They haven’t said anything yet and I doubt they would want the RCC to come out strong through the upcoming purification that is awaiting the church. Their participation would only cause more acrimony among the laity…not all welcome their views that in many instances created ‘cracks’ that later caused divisions. I hope that the church can get to the bottom of this scandal.
“Why is Roman Catholicism most affected by clerical child abuse?” Lou Baldwin: You’ve hit the nail on the head! But I’m afraid that many in the church hierarchy are afraid of what the answer(s) might be, but surely it’s a question that must be explored.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Thank you, Archbishop Chaput!
Bravo!
Thank you Archbishop Chaput for being one of the many good and holy leaders in our Church.
“…..the gates of hell shall not prevail against us”. His will be done!