Archbishop Chaput: Manhattan Declaration will ‘galvanize’ Christians in difficult times

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Archbishop of Denver Charles J. Chaput

Denver, Colo., Dec 7, 2009 / 03:11 am (CNA).- In an exclusive interview with Catholic News Agency, Archbishop of Denver Charles J. Chaput has explained his reasons for signing the Manhattan Declaration. He said the Declaration should “galvanize” Christians and others in defense of pro-life issues, the nature of marriage and religious freedom.

“I was glad to be invited to sign the declaration, and glad to sign because I believe in its content,” Archbishop Chaput told CNA. He described it as a “straightforward” statement defending the sanctity of life, religious liberty and the definition of marriage as a union of husband and wife.

“In a sensible world, none of these things would be in question. But we no longer live in a sensible world,” he commented.

The archbishop thought one of the goals of the declaration is to “galvanize good people,” beginning with Christians but including others, in order to organize to work to change the direction of the country and to “resist” when necessary.

Archbishop Chaput commented that the signatories of the Declaration did not create the political environment that “forced it to be written.”

“The signers didn’t create the declaration's urgency or its timing. Others did that for them,” he told CNA.

He said the effort was provoked by those who want to “force” religion out of the public square, to “redefine” marriage and human sexuality, or to “sacrifice” women and unborn children on the “altar of a fraudulent ‘right’” to abortion.

Asked about the claim that the Manhattan Declaration neglects social justice issues, Archbishop Chaput pointed to the “outstanding” track record of the Catholic Church and other religious communities in serving the poor, the immigrant, the homeless and the infirm.

In his view, the claim that the Declaration neglects such issues is “without merit” and “designed to distract.”

To the argument that the Declaration violates the separation of church and state because it features Christians telling the government what to do, the archbishop replied:

“In the United States, citizens ‘tell government what to do’ all the time. It’s called democracy.”

Nothing in the U.S. Constitution bars religious communities, religious leaders or individual believers from taking a “vigorous role” in public debate, he added.

“In fact, the American system depends on exactly the opposite: In order to survive, our democracy requires citizens to advance their beliefs energetically and without apologies in the public square.”

The archbishop explained that he was not involved in the development of the Manhattan Declaration, but said he knows and respects many of the other signatories. He reported that the main Catholic input for the Declaration was provided by Princeton University’s Professor Robert P. George.

The Declaration’s signers want people to realize “how difficult” the present moment in U.S. history is, he added.

“Our rights and liberties are never really guaranteed by words on a piece of paper. We guarantee them ourselves, under the sovereignty of God, by struggling for what we believe.”

Real hope has “a cost in sweat and hard work,” Archbishop Chaput said to CNA.

“Now and always, we need to trust in God; and then we also need to act. Right here, right now, in this country, the work of organizing and struggling in the public square for what we believe belongs to us. That means all of us, and each of us.”

As of Friday afternoon, the Manhattan Declaration’s website claimed over 252,000 signatories since its Nov. 20 release. Its website is at http://manhattandeclaration.org

Comments: 15

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Jolyne
Boonton,NJ USA 02/10/2010 09:52 PM EST

What did George Washington do when he knew the rag tag army fighting for freedom were in trouble? He went to the Father on his knees. This is what all good Americans should be doing. Shall we band together and have knee parties along with our tea parties? Yes. God bless Bishop Chaput. Where are the other Bishops I wonder. Remember what Jesus said when the storm threatened to sink the boat ? The disciples were terrified and woke Jesus up and He said What are you afraid of oh you of little faith. Then he stood up and calmed the storm.

Published by: Katherine McGraw
Pasadena, CA 91103 12/18/2009 01:39 AM EST

Dear Louis- Ville, I repeat nothing will undermine Dems for Life (which in case you are unaware, does not support abortions) faster than a Catholic "manifesto" such as the Manhattan Declaration. You asked about my experience. While in college I started working at Birthright and went on to work with adolescent girls who were pregnant. My husband and I have offered to take in several children when their parents ran into trouble. Most recently we offered our home to a young woman who found herself pregnant and was afraid to return to her parents. Through the course of the summer we met with the young woman and her family and worked things out so that she and her baby now live with her folks. She knows if things don't work out there she always has a place here in our home. I am proud to share that she is a radiant new mother with a handsome little son who has come to see her parents in a completely different light. It has been a beautiful experience for all of us and personally I am filled with joy. I believe Jesus reached out and embraced all people, particularly those who were materially poor, and marginalized. Our mission, I understand, is much the same. You see, Louis, there is no room for hatred or desire to condemn when you are living the good news! Wishing you some peace, a little joy and a heart touched with love this Christmas.

Published by: Jacob
Camarillo CA 12/12/2009 09:51 AM EST

God bless Archbishop Chaput!!!

Published by: Bob Blasingame
Jamestown, NC 12/11/2009 01:12 PM EST

My wife and I signed the Declaration after hearing about it on Mike Huckebee the weekend it was published. The religious leaders who signed the Declaration represent millions of Christians in the U.S. Where are their signatures? In 20 days I thought the number of signers would have been much higher. If your Bishop signed it, it would probably be all right to mention it during a service, so put it out there and ask your congregations to go online and sign it.

Published by: Hazel Miller
Roseville, CA 12/11/2009 12:41 AM EST

Thank God that His faithful few are banding together and WILL make ourselves heard! God bless you each and every one who hears the call and moves forward - first step is to sign this Manhattan Declaration!!

Published by: taad
Louisville/Oh/US 12/10/2009 04:41 PM EST

Dear Katherine McGraw, As Christ told some people once, "You are greatly mistaken". The Pro-life Movement has been taking care of unwed mothers and women who have had abortions for the past four decades. While being harassed by the government at every move, the Pro-Lifers keep on showing love by actions. I have yet to see many homes for unwed mothers started by those who claim they want to reduce the number abortions. What have you done to save a child, or help a mother? Have you helped a mother who aborted her child overcome the guilt? Have you paid for adoptions, hospital bills, of education? Have you adopted? We who are involved in the greatest human rights campaign in history continue to protect life at all stages and in all conditions from every imaginable angle that can be taken. What has the pro-aborts done except to continue to promote and pay for the killing of babies and their mothers at times. We are even attacked as the City Baltimore is placing more restrictions on crisis pregnancy centers. Remember Judas also tried to justify his position by twisting the truth when he said, "You could have sold that oil for money and fed the poor." While he claimed to be loving and concerned for the poor, he was in reality full of hate.

Published by: Gus
Toronto, Canada 12/10/2009 12:59 PM EST

Quite a timely document this Manhattan Declaration has been. It is time to abide by the Lord’s words. In Matthew 19, 20 Jesus commands his apostles to teach the disciples to obey everything (τηρειν πάντα means just that: keep, retain everything) so there is no room for liberal views in Christ’s doctrine. The fact that some are trying to pervert it from within is not new either. The temptation to follow their own desires or what is fashionable is really strong. In Acts 20-29-31a Paul warned the hierarchy of the church of Ephesus in his time by telling them: “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” Who are these people Paul is talking about? The same ones who, while pretending to be Christian, lobby for murder (which is what abortion in any of subtle forms and euthanasia are), sexually deviant behavior in any of its forms: incest, polygamy, child abuse, masturbation, homosexuality, zoophilia, etc. So it is time to call a spade a spade. The weeds within must be exposed for what they really are. What they quite often miss is that they will have to account to the Lord for what they have done and that will happen sooner or later, maybe sooner than they expect. Let us all then pray for these poor folks.

Published by: Katherine McGraw
Pasadena, CA USA 12/09/2009 12:29 PM EST

Nothing will undo the good work of Dems for Life faster than a "Catholic manifesto". Anyone recall the words "They will know we are Christians by our love"? As Catholics we know that the transformation of hearts and minds is achieved through our example of caring for one another rather than our dictates of how people should behave if we ruled the world. What is to stop you from welcoming in an unwed mother to your home? Care for her and her baby, and you will find an answer to your prayer for I promise you, your world will change.

Published by: gilad
poway, CA 12/08/2009 01:38 PM EST

Why not have Our bishops in the front line to sign this Declaration! Then priest, then Catholic religious! If there is anything we need now is Fidelity,Unity, Activism!

Published by: Michael
Sarawak, Malaysia. 12/07/2009 06:52 PM EST

I have heard about the Mahattan Declaration from EWTN and read something about it earlier from CNA and am glad that people are coming forward in support of it. I am not an American. Nevertheless, I have always had a high regard for the people of the USA - and especially feel kinship with those who share my faith. The USA has been a great power for good for a long time; sometimes people do forget, wander off the track and get caught in thorns and briers of life - particularly in recent times, the thorns and briers of the flesh, a truly heavy cross. I would like to share in the pains and worries of the American people at these times of trial and pledge to pray for everyone.

Published by: Dewaine
Granbury/Texas/USA 12/07/2009 05:42 PM EST

So glad to see this on CNA. Read it and sighed it. I hope the word is spread and more and more sign this. These issues cross denomination lines, as Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant (most) can agree on these simple statements. As the Archbishop said, the very fact we have to seriously even discuss these issues shows we are in irrational and morally bankrupt times.

Published by: Manuel De León
Chicago, IL U.S.A. 12/07/2009 03:35 PM EST

I signed the Declaration as well. As a catholic priest once said: the problem with good people is that they only observe (doing nothing against) the evil that bad people do. We, as catholic, must oppose the killing of innocents, preserve the Marriage (between a man and a woman) and defend our right to express our ideas. That's the real freedom. Period.

Published by: Shirley Russell
Gonzales LA USA 12/07/2009 12:55 PM EST

For too long a time, we Catholics have needed our bishops to encourage us to stand up for our Christian/Catholic beliefs. May we all "hear" with our ears and "do" with our hearts in prayer or feet in action.

Published by: Pat
Becker 12/07/2009 12:00 PM EST

I have proudly signed the Manhattan Declaration. We can no longer separate the 'issues" in our World and Country,by conservative or liberal ideology. We must stand together,for all mankind.and " fight" all injustices. This Declaration is a great "starting" point.

Published by: John
England 12/07/2009 10:38 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

Archbishop Chaput speaks so much common sense that he must be a danger to the powers-that-be in Washington, the media and other radical-left groups. Though I'm not American, I find that American documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Manhattan Declaration, speak for all of us around the world who yearn to be free. God bless America! From a friend across the Atlantic.

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