Philadelphia's New Bishop: Chaput? - The American Bishop Carousel?

Archbishop Charles Chaput - Currently of Denver

If you follow Catholic blogs or the "Bishop News" in this country, you probably know quite well that Cardinal Justin Rigali will be resigning this week in Philadelphia, which Pope Benedict is said to be ready to accept. The appointment of the next Archbishop is the real page turner though.

To find out the latest, we turn to the the usual suspects, Rocco Palmo at Whispers in the Loggia and Thomas Peters over at the American Papist. Both right now are pointing to Denver's: Archbishop Chaput. This has been speculated, but for weeks seemed like more of a "dream" for most folks as opposed to any type of reality. Why? Well let's let Palmo explain in his words:

And if multiple indications from near and far have it right, he [Chaput] stands set to bring the most revolutionary change American Catholicism’s most traditional major outpost has known in at least a century, to begin its rebuilding from the ashes of the darkest in its long, storied history

This is a pretty big statement. Philly has had it's share of problems, we don't have to recount them here, but moving one of the highest profile Bishop's there makes more than one statement. Peters' take is quite similar actually:

We need to keep the appointee –whoever he is– in our prayers. Philadelphia is a very troubled archdiocese these days and whoever is chosen to succeed +Rigali will have his work cut out for him.

Boy is he right, there will be work "cut out for him." So if all these signs point to Chaput, and as the day goes on more and more reports seem to point that way, it looks like tomorrow's announcement is the worst kept secret right now. Palmo seems pleased and says:

Thanks be to God for his goodness to us. Truly, we are blessed beyond words.

So it seems that Philly is all but locked-up as having Chaput be tapped as the next Archbishop. But that leaves a lot to talk about in all honesty as opposed to tying everything together actually...

My take...

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If Chaput leaves Denever, and Cardinal Rigali retires it essentially leaves two holes. An active Cardinal and Denver. Not only that but was Chaput the pick all along or is this a move in the background? Sure we dont want to mix politics and the Church but there is a reality there. 

So will there be a "re-ordering" of  Bishops here in the States? There are obvious "traditions" that are often kept in terms of Bishop cities, who goes where, etc... but all that seems to be changing. What else is changing is also the current Papal Nuncio. Will that have some affect? 

There are only a few dioceses with vacant seats, and nothing too surprising. Over the next year though, some pretty "big" retirements are coming up with moves or new appointments that will need to be made, a total of 11 retirements could occur by the end of 2012, not to mention 8 other bishops already beyond the age of 75. This means that there could be as many as 20 new dioceses with new bishops within the next year, almost 2 per month. These aren't in little out of the way places either: Lincoln, NE; San Francisco, CA; Chicago, IL; Portland, OR; Hartford, CT; etc... so maybe a re-ordering will be in place. 

CLICK TO ENLARGE | Table Source: Canonlaw.info

Let us pray in the least for all these holy men, and let us especially pray for Archbishop Chaput. If he is indeed going to Philly he will need our prayers and we can only hope that his fidelity, courage, and love for the Church will fill the city of Brotherly Love and turn it once again into a beacon of the Faith.

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