Archbishop Chaput’s book makes NYT Best Seller List, beats Biden’s book

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Comments: 11

, Sep 5, 2008 / 05:38 pm (CNA).- Just three weeks into the publication of “Render Unto Caesar,” Archbishop Charles Chaput’s new book has made the New York Times Best Seller list. The archbishop’s book is currently one place ahead of “Promises to Keep,” written by Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden.

“Render Unto Caesar” is currently number 27 on the New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers List for the week of September 14, outpacing Sen. Biden’s book by one spot. During the week of August 29, “Render Unto Caesar” was the 24th best selling nonfiction book and the number five best selling hardcover nonfiction book published by Random House, according to the company’s website.

In “Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life,” the Archbishop of Denver explains that Catholics must bring their convictions into the voting booth, and argues that Catholics’ citizenship must be grounded in religious belief as a moral duty, a gift to American life.

The archbishop urges Catholics to strengthen their voices on abortion, the death penalty, immigration, poverty and other social justice issues.

His book reaffirms the close link between personal Catholic faith and public action and also defends the right of religious believers to challenge secular authority in the name of human dignity. “In this sense, the Catholic church cannot stay, has never stayed, and never will stay out of politics,” he writes.

“Render Unto Caesar” can be ordered on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Render-Unto-Caesar-Catholic-Political/dp/0385522282/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215959015&sr=8-1

Comments: 11

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Wes
Florin 10/02/2008 10:17 AM EST

might be a helpful book to read before this election?

Published by: Marie Lourdes
whitehall/pa/usa 09/09/2008 07:02 AM EST

Archbishop Chaput didn't start to write his book after Mr. Biden made his comments. I habe a Catholic for 48 years. I have a good relationship and great awerness of God's teaching. What the Archbishop is doing with this book is morally wrong. He is misleading children of God and misusing the church teaching and belief on human life to scare people. Arbotion is a sin.Agreed. But it is not the only sin. Let's not be hypocrite. There's a lot more to look at before voting for a candidates. let's take for exemple the situation with Governer"Pauline's daughter," if we applaud her for keeping her baby, are we not saying to the catholic church it is now okay to have sex before marriage? Archbishop is being there are "Ten Commendments Archbishop" not one. I do beleive the greatest one is LOVE. With that said, Ask your selves if you love your brothers and sisters enough to see vote for a brother not the same color or religion as you are. This is what this book is all about. Isn't it Archbishop?....PLEASE STOP TAKING GOD'S NAME IN VAIN!!!!

Published by: Gary Wheeler
Lawrence, Kansas,U.S. 09/09/2008 12:22 AM EST

I feel I need to reply to the people who critized my last letter. In my zeal to critize what I felt were heavy-handed clergy in the Catholic church I actually ended up criticizing wrongfully a very faithful and prudent voice. Archbishop Chaput, I owe you an apology. AS Dinie Reid pointed out in her letter, the Archbishop was merely trying to point out that an informed conscience based on truth was important in formulating an opinion in regards to making a decision before voting. Our parish 4 years ago passed out voter's guides that were actually on the whole very informative and instructive in reminding the laity of a myriad of issues that the Church is concerned with. My anger, and I apologize to the Archbisop and to all who were offended, was intended to be directed to what I was feeling as an intense pressure by many others of the clergy to try to force the hands of Catholics, by seemingly threatening the faithful if they did'nt vote the way they felt was correct on certain core issues only. Although I support the Church on these moral issues I felt strongly that all issues should be considered. Again I apologize for the tenor of my last letter . To Mr. Nalty, I hope to see you at the Universal Judgement,& with faith in Christ I hope we both make it. Pax Vobiscum.

Published by: Rob Cooper
Muncie, IN, USA 09/08/2008 03:09 PM EST

Well, Mr Wheeler, it looks like you need to refer to the "Catechism" on ALL occasions, not just those you pick and choose. The Archbishop is reporting your obligation according to the teachings of the Catholic Church and that is to stand for what is in that book by casting your support for political candidates that 'get it,' 'practice it' and 'espouse it!'

Published by: Matthew Hoffman
Mexico 09/08/2008 02:48 PM EST

Your dripping sarcasm and references to the middle ages are typical of liberals who want to justify voting for the culture of death politicians who continue to consign millions of unborn human beings to their deaths. Obviously the Church can't stay silent in the face of such evil and cruelty, and your attacks on them for doing so are really improper. I hope you'll pray about it.

Published by: rita
houston, texas US 09/08/2008 12:25 PM EST

Anyone who says the Archbishop is telling anyone for whom to vote has not read the book. It is usually a good practice to read a book before commenting upon the content.

Published by: Christine
Covington, GA 09/08/2008 12:14 PM EST

In response to comment by Gary Wheeler, all I can say is "wow". Since when are the constant teachings of Holy Mother Church an "opinion". As a 42 year old cradle Catholic, I believe the best hope for the Catholic Church in the U.S. will come from faithful, orthodox "JPII" youth as they move into and through adulthood. Hopefully the heresies held by so many of the "baby-boomers" will diminish as that generation of Catholics (naturally, I pray) diminish.

Published by: pAUL A. NALTY
United States 09/08/2008 12:00 PM EST

Gary Wheeler,
What are you afraid of? The Truth? or +Arch Chaput? You have the "right" to your opinion but what is it based on? I guess you have discovered the "proportional reason" he speaks of.
Good luck, you will need it! See you at the Universal Judgment, not "my or your" judgment, God's. Peace! :>)

Published by: Amber-a convert
Colorado 09/08/2008 10:13 AM EST

Gosh Gary..I don't think Archbishop Chaput wrote that book to be bossy or tell us what to do! Before you get all grumpy..maybe you should actually listen to what Archbishop Chaput has to say! Or if you don't want to, you don't have to read the book! Why are you so defensive? You should thank the Lord that we have such an educated, holy Archbishop who can (if you want to listen..remember you don't have to) actually articulate how to put our faith into action! Most people have no idea how to do this! The Archbishop clearly saw a need for this! And remember, (what most people forget) Arbishop Chaput prayed about this book before he ever wrote it. Also, when Archbishop Chaput was interviewed on the World Over, he explained what the tile Render unto Caesar means! Do some research and find out, just don't complain about the title before you even know what it means!!!

Published by: Dinie Reid
Bradford, PA USA 09/08/2008 08:37 AM EST

I disagree with Gary Wheeler's comment. I too have read Caput's Book. What Caput is pointing out in his book is that Catholics should vote in accordance with their "informed" conscience based on "truth". Both "informed" and "truth" are the two most important words in the whole book.

Published by: Gary Wheeler
Lawrence, Kansas,U.S. 09/05/2008 11:18 PM EST

Rate: Regular

You know it’s not that I disagree with a lot of things that Archbisop Chaput, or for that matter other members of the clergy have to say in regard to certain political and moral issues facing Americans, but it’s just this: I don’t need your opinion or approval when it comes to formulating an opinion of who to vote for. I’ve been a Catholic for 22 years, and have a copy of the Catechism which I have read and referred to on many occasions. I’ve also been an American for all of my 57 years and don’t need to be lectured on American government, civics, or pertinent issues of the day. I don’t need it from politicians or church leaders from any denomination for that matter. You (the clergy) certainly have just as much a right to your opinion as any of the rest of us, however your not so subtle attempt to influence our(the laity’s) voting is really beginning to tick me off to say the least. Unfortunately for you this is the year 2008 not 1408. Just one more thing, given the title of your book, is Caesar governmental authority, or is it the Church.

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