Introductory remarks by Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.

by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver

On Tuesday morning, February 24, 2009, Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., C.E.O. of Canada’s Salt and Light Catholic Television Network, introduced Archbishop Chaput before his delivery of the lecture, "Character & Circumstance," to a large gathering of Catholic Business Leaders and public officials at St. Paul’s Basilica in downtown Toronto. The lecture was sponsored by the Archdiocese of Toronto, the Salt and Light Catholic Television Network, Regis College and the Meritus, an Archdiocesan Group for Catholic Business Leaders. Click here to read Archbishop's full address.

Your Grace, Archbishop Collins,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Archdiocese of Toronto, Salt and Light Catholic Television Network, Regis College and Meritus, it is my great pleasure to introduce this morning’s speaker.  Archbishop Charles J. Chaput was born September 26, 1944, in Concordia, Kansas.  A Native American from the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe, he entered the Capuchin Franciscans in 1965.

Following his ordination to priesthood on August 29, 1970, the young Friar Charles held several leadership roles in his Capuchin province until he was named bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota in 1988 by Pope John Paul II.  Nine years later, the same Pope appointed him Archbishop of Denver, Colorado.

Catholics throughout the United States of America and indeed throughout the world have come to recognize him as an outstanding, courageous leader and champion of the dignity of human life.  He is widely known for his strong, public teachings on abortion, the death penalty, and immigration.  He is a former two-term member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, a tenure that included missions to China and Turkey.  Many consider the Archdiocese of Denver to be an authentic, vibrant centre of Catholic life and culture in North America

When it comes to Church politics, Archbishop Chaput avoids labeling people or ideas as "liberal" or "conservative." He has said that as Catholics, our views should reflect Church teaching, which is not based on political opinions, but on the truth. In his book, Living the Catholic Faith: Rediscovering the Basics, he writes:

“As Catholics we can't be a source of joy and hope for anybody on the outside if we're dimming the light of the Church from the inside with bickering over who we are as a community. If we truly wish to participate in the life of the community we call the Church, we need to stop thinking about the Church as if she were a political organization, social club, or corporation. We need to stop thinking like American consumers and lobbyists, and start thinking like Catholic believers.”

In his most recent book Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life, the Archbishop urges Catholics to live our faith without compromise and to use our faith as the foundation for renewing our North American society in the twenty-first century.  Though written for an American audience, his message extends to all people of good will- including Canadians.  Grounding our citizenship in our religious beliefs is not just a right, but also a moral duty and a gift to democratic life.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome a courageous, young, dynamic and articulate, Franciscan – who is truly a good shepherd: the Archbishop of Denver, Most Reverend Charles Chaput.

Rev. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., C.E.O.
Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
114 Richmond Street E.
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1P1  CANADA

www.saltandlighttv.org