Philadelphia, Pa., Sep 8, 2011 / 12:23 pm
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput promised to lay down his life to restore faith and trust among Catholics in Philadelphia, during his Sept. 8 installation at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
“Whatever my weaknesses and whatever my lacks, no bishop will give more of himself than I will to renewing this great Church,” the new archbishop promised in his installation homily. “Everything I’ve learned, everything I know, and everything I have, I will give to this ministry, because all of you – the people of God – deserve at least that much.”
The former Archbishop of Denver took up his new role in a ceremony attended by approximately 1,500 guests, including Philadelphia's previous archbishop Cardinal Justin Rigali, papal representative Monsignor Jean-Francois Lantheaume, and nearly 700 other clergy, religious, and seminarians. Mayor Michael Nutter and other civic leaders were also among the invited guests.
Because of flooding, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett was unable to attend the installation.