Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver said that true reform of the
Church requires deep faith and repentance from all members of the faith,
including clergy, religious and laity alike.
“Renewal begins not in vilifying others, but in examining ourselves
honestly, repenting of our own sins, and changing ourselves,” the
archbishop said.
“We are all in need of God's mercy. When we really understand that,
we can speak to each other with both honesty and love, and restoring the
mission of the Church can begin.”
Archbishop Chaput, who was recently appointed to lead the Archdiocese
of Philadelphia, made his remarks at the Knight of Columbus' 129th
annual convention, this year held in downtown Denver, Colo. from Aug.
2-4.
The opening Mass at the Sheraton Hotel on Aug. 2 – packed to the brim
with knights in colorful regalia and their families – was also
concelebrated by 10 cardinals, 70 archbishops and bishops and more than
100 priests.
During his homily, Archbishop Chaput underscored that along with
repentance, the “second thing needed for any lasting Church reform” is
faith.
“Not faith as theology, or faith as a collection of doctrines and
practices, but faith as a single minded confidence in God,” and faith,
“as the imprudence, the passion, the recklessness to give ourselves
entirely to Jesus Christ,” he said.
“That kind of faith changes people. That kind of faith shifts the world on its axis because nothing can stand against it.”
Archbishop Chaput also urged respect and recognition for all
vocations within the Church, saying that each are different but have
their essential roles.
“The Church belongs to Jesus Christ, and the different roles within
the Christian community – clergy, laity and religious life – have equal
dignity but different purposes.”
In particular, the clergy's leadership in the Church should always be
marked with humility and service “and never by a sense of entitlement,”
he said.
“Bishops, priests and deacons are too often weak and sinful.
They need to be held to high standards. Some deserve to be chastised.”
“But men and women didn't found the Church, they don't own her, and they have no license to reinvent her.”
Although sin and failure “need to be named,” he said, “when people
deride their bishops and priests out of pride and resentment or some
perverse desire for what they perceive as 'power,' they undermine the
Church herself, and they set themselves against the God whose vessel she
is.”
Citing the example of St. Peter in the Gospel, when Christ invites
him to walk out on to the water, Archbishop Chaput said that “as long as
Peter keeps his eyes and his heart fixed on Jesus Christ, he can do the
impossible.”
But the “moment he gives into doubt and fear, he begins to sink. So
it is with our personal faith and so it is with the life and health of
the Church.”
The Knights of Columbus convention in Denver this week brings
together 500 delegates – including 85 bishops – from the global, 1.8
million member organization.
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