Archbishop Charles J. Chapew to Replace Cardinal Rigali

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20110718_Denver_bishop_to_replace_Cardinal_Rigali.html?cmpid=125219969

Denver Bishop to Replace Cardinal Rigali

By David O’Reilly

Inquirer Staff Writer

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver appears poised to succeed Justin Rigali as archbishop of Philadelphia.

Persons familiar with the process say Rigali will host a news conference Tuesday to announce that Pope Benedict XVI has named Chaput, 66, to lead the 1.5 million-member archdiocese, which spans five counties.

Chaput (pronounced Sha-pew) is a member of the Capuchin order of Franciscan priests and has led the Denver archdiocese since 1997.

A member of the Prairie Band of the Potawatomi Tribe of American Indians, he is the second Native American bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, and its first Native American archbishop.

He is known as an articulate conservative who regularly exhorts his flock to live out the Catholic Church’s teachings on social justice, especially its opposition to abortion and the death penalty, and its care for the poor and immigrants.