New archbishop installed in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Archbishop Charles J. Chaput took on what he called "a big job" Thursday as he was installed as the head of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul was a celebration, with hundreds of priests and bishops and a handful of cardinals participating and a crowd of 1,700 in the pews, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Chaput, who comes to Philadelphia after 14 years as archbishop of Denver, promised to work hard to lead the region's 1.5 million Catholics.

"This is a big job," he said.

Cardinal Justin Rigali formally handed the archdiocese over to Chaput by escorting him to the bishop's chair. Rigali has retired after eight years as archbishop.

There were reminders of the problems Chaput faces. He was congratulated by District Attorney Seth Williams, whose office released a damning grand jury report on clerical sexual abuse and has arrested three priests and a Catholic school teacher.

Outside the basilica, a handful of protesters gathered along with some striking Catholic school teachers, KYW-TV, Philadelphia, said.

"He's out of the Middle Ages," the Rev. Robert Hoatson, a priest in northern New Jersey who advocates for victims of sexual abuse, told the Inquirer. "He's a charmer, and he comes off as very collaborative and inclusive. But he's very hierarchical."