Philadelphia Archbishop Chaput welcomes ‘smaller church’ of holier Catholics

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(RNS) In a stark prognosis for contemporary Catholicism, a leader of the conservative wing of the U.S. hierarchy has said that “a smaller, lighter church” of fewer but holier believers is preferable to one that promotes inclusion at the expense of traditional orthodoxy.
In a speech delivered Wednesday (Oct. 19) at the University of Notre Dame, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput also suggested that many prominent Catholics are so weak in their faith that they ought to leave the church.
Chaput singled out Democrats such as Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine for special criticism, linking them to the concept of a “silent apostasy” coined by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and saying Catholics who do not champion the truth of church teaching are “cowards.”
religionnews.com/2016/10/20/philadelphia-archbishop-chaput-welcomes-smaller-church-of-holier-catholics/
 
I have to admit, it’s refreshing to hear something that doesn’t beat around the bush. I kind of thought that’s what being a shepherd was really about; when you see a problem, you face it. At the very least, someone has to be a sentinel.
 
I have much admiration for Archbishop Chaput. I think he should be made a Cardinal.
 
“This church with which we should be thinking is the home of all, not a small chapel that can hold only a small group of selected people. We must not reduce the bosom of the universal church to a nest".

Pope Francis

americamagazine.org/pope-interview
 
“This church with which we should be thinking is the home of all, not a small chapel that can hold only a small group of selected people. We must not reduce the bosom of the universal church to a nest".

Pope Francis

americamagazine.org/pope-interview
There are many days I miss Benedict XVI. I believe he once said something similar
to what Archbishop Chaput said.
 
I have to admit, it’s refreshing to hear something that doesn’t beat around the bush. I kind of thought that’s what being a shepherd was really about; when you see a problem, you face it. At the very least, someone has to be a sentinel.
It doesn’t seem to be in keeping with most of the thinking inside the Church (in my opinion) but perhaps he is right.
 
It doesn’t seem to be in keeping with most of the thinking inside the Church (in my opinion) but perhaps he is right.
Of course he’s right! He’s far right, politically, which is fine with me…historically, the Church was strongest and most vibrant before Constantine made it ‘politically correct’ to be a Catholic Christian…their lifestyle demonstrated their true belief in Jesus Christ…outsiders were willing to take the chance of literally dying to get in…
 
Baptize all people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
 
Chaput singled out Democrats such as Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine for special criticism, linking them to the concept of a “silent apostasy” coined by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and saying Catholics who do not champion the truth of church teaching are “cowards.”
Even if Chaput thinks a smaller Church is better, how can a Christian bishop stand up and shame people by name?
 
Even if Chaput thinks a smaller Church is better, how can a Christian bishop stand up and shame people by name?
None of the Old Testament prophets pulled punches…John the Baptist didn’t pull punches…Jesus didn’t pull punches…they all spoke the simple truth - right is right and wrong is wrong…
 
A smaller holier church? What an unfortunate statement.

I’d be interested in how the message works into this Sunday’s gospel (Luke 19:1-9), especially the part where Jesus tells the Pharisees:

"For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”

So much for the Church being a hospital for sinners rather than a luxury resort for the righteous.

.
 
Even if Chaput thinks a smaller Church is better, how can a Christian bishop stand up and shame people by name?
Because the people mentioned are public figures, who publicly discuss their Catholicism, and publicly take positions contradictory to Catholic teaching. If left unchallenged, these people lead others astray…they teach a false gospel. They must be called out.
 
A smaller holier church? What an unfortunate statement.

I’d be interested in how the message works into this Sunday’s gospel (Luke 19:1-9), especially the part where Jesus tells the Pharisees:

"For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”

So much for the Church being a hospital for sinners rather than a luxury resort for the righteous.

.
Thank God this is not the view of the Holy Father.

And even with the last Pope, I have always read his statements as just realistic visions of the future and trying to understand what role the Church will play given the reality of demographics. That’s a completely different sentiment than asking all but the small Elect to leave and welcoming the day that they do!
 
A smaller holier church? What an unfortunate statement.

I’d be interested in how the message works into this Sunday’s gospel (Luke 19:1-9), especially the part where Jesus tells the Pharisees:

"For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”

So much for the Church being a hospital for sinners rather than a luxury resort for the righteous.

.
Not sure if you captured Chaput’s context. He said a smaller holier church is** preferable to one that promotes inclusion at the expense of traditional orthodoxy** (an exact quote was not in the article). This context is not contradictory to Luke 19:1-9, or the Church being a hospital for sinners rather than a luxury resort for the righteous.

So when Pelosi or Kaine champion abortion, or when Biden performs a same sex marriage…are they seeking the “hospital for sinners” or are they leading people astray?

Even Pope Francis excommunicated an Australian priest for his public teachings on the ordination of women were contradictory to Catholic doctrine. So I reject the idea that Pope Francis somehow excuses unapologetic heretical views.
catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/09/27/pope-francis-excommunicates-australian-priest/

The Australian priest, or Pelosi, or Biden, or Kaine, or any Catholic seeking reconciliation with the Church and the Truth will be welcomed back…the door is always open.
 
Not sure if you captured Chaput’s context. He said a smaller holier church is** preferable to one that promotes inclusion at the expense of traditional orthodoxy** (an exact quote was not in the article). This context is not contradictory to Luke 19:1-9, or the Church being a hospital for sinners rather than a luxury resort for the righteous.

So when Pelosi or Kaine champion abortion, or when Biden performs a same sex marriage…are they seeking the “hospital for sinners” or are they leading people astray?

Even Pope Francis excommunicated an Australian priest for his public teachings on the ordination of women were contradictory to Catholic doctrine. So I reject the idea that Pope Francis somehow excuses unapologetic heretical views.
catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/09/27/pope-francis-excommunicates-australian-priest/

The Australian priest, or Pelosi, or Biden, or Kaine, or any Catholic seeking reconciliation with the Church and the Truth will be welcomed back…the door is always open.
So you feel comfortable you’d be welcome, and the people you named would not? When James speaks of partiality, it’s not just economic, but spiritual disparity he talks of.

Maybe this new small and holier Church will establish their own canon of Scripture?
.
 
So you feel comfortable you’d be welcome, and the people you named would not? When James speaks of partiality, it’s not just economic, but I ritual disparity he talks of.

Maybe this new small and holier Church will establish their own canon of Scripture?
.
I think all of the people mentioned would be welcome if the seek the forgiveness of Christ through His Church.

But if you disagree with my perspective, do you also disagree with Pope Francis’ excommunication of the Australian priest who was publicly contradicting Church teaching?
 
I don’t see any gloating about the possibility it might be smaller. For myself, I don’t feel that way. And just because it might get smaller in America doesn’t mean it won’t get bigger elsewhere. I also hope I do not have to undergo the test. Jesus said we should pray we don’t. But if we have to, I prefer a leadership that is honest about the adversity. It’s better for morale.
 
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