PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Aleteia
The clergy sex abuse scandal, the challenges that Pope Francis puts before the Church, requests for transparency, the topic of religious liberty and a staunch condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Boston: “Evil exists, and some people choose it.”
Aleteia features this exclusive interview with His Excellency, Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia.
Archbishop Chaput, Philadelphia has been rocked by the sex abuse scandal. How badly has it shaken the faithful, and what do you see as the way out?
That expression – “rocked by scandal” – should be retired along with a lot of other media clichés. People get addicted to lurid headlines and the drug of anger. Then they stop thinking clearly about how these tragedies happen and the best way to prevent them in the future. The abuse scandal in the Church is inexcusable. Innocent children and families were terribly hurt. As a Church, we – and by “we,” I mean first of all we bishops – owe victims our sorrow for what they endured, our prayers and our material support in helping them heal. Philadelphia Catholics have spent the last decade frustrated by the sins and mistakes that happened here. It would be a miracle if their morale weren’t low. The way out of this kind of problem is for bishops and other Catholic leaders to act with honesty, humility and justice in dealing with victims and renewing the Church. Over time, that kind of witness is the only thing that heals.
How do you think Pope Francis should proceed in this area? What would you suggest to him?
The Pope seems to know very well what to do. He doesn’t need my advice. His manner is simple, direct and honest. People are starving for that kind of leadership, both within the Church and everywhere else. We live in a modern cocoon of public relations, marketing and message control. Any leader who simply tells the truth, and tells it simply, is like rain in the desert.
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