Congratulations Archbishop Chaput and May The Lord Give You Peace!

Archbishop Chaput   Credit: James Baca/Archdiocese of Denver

In Chapter One of "The Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops", the following can be read: "As Vicar of the 'great shepherd of the sheep" (Hebrews 13:20), the Bishop manifests through his life and his episcopal ministry the fatherhood of God. He reveals the goodness, the loving care, the mercy, the gentleness and the authority of Christ, who came to give his life and gather all people into one family, reconciling them in the love of the Father. The Bishop alas manifests the constant vitality of the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the Church and sustains her in her human weakness. This Trinitarian understanding of the Bishop's being and acting ("esse and agere") is rooted in the life of Christ himself...."


These words certainly describe the ministry of Archbishop Chaput, and he will bring the reality of these words in his ministry as Archbishop of Philadelphia. I first met Archbishop Chaput in Assisi years ago when he was the Capuchin Provincial. I later knew him through then Bishop John Myers of Peoria, but most recently since I was appointed Bishop here in Fort Worth. He was present at my ordination, and since that time he has been a great friend, mentor, and source of fraternal encouragement. His clarity of vision as a Shepherd, his courage and his faith are an inspiration to me and to so many.  My prayer and support, and the prayers of our Diocese go with him to Philadelphia.  

To Archbishop Chaput, as a son of St. Francis, I would refer to the following which I found in "Francis of Assisi" by Michael de la Bedoyere:  "Looking back on his life Francis was to say 'The Lord revealed to me what I must say when meeting anyone with a good wish:  'The Lord give you peace'. That is the prayer of the Diocese of Fort Worth and my personal prayer for Archbishop Chaput in this time, now, of transition, and in his new call as the Archbishop of Philadelphia.