Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput has served on CUF’s episcopal advisory council since 1997. He contributed to Emmaus Road’s Servants of the Gospel: Essays by American Bishops on Their Role as Shepherds of the Church and has written for Lay Witness magazine. He has written forewords and endorsements for several Emmaus Road books.

Archbishop Chaput attended St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, Kansas. He joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, St. Augustine Province, in 1965. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania, in 1967, Archbishop Chaput completed Studies in Psychology at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Capuchin College in Washington, DC, in 1970 and was ordained to the priesthood on August 29, 1970.

After receiving a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of San Francisco in 1971, he returned to St. Fidelis College, where he served as an instructor in theology and a spiritual director from 1971–74. He then served as executive secretary and director of communications for the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh from 1974–77.

In 1977, Archbishop Chaput became pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Thornton, Colorado, and vicar provincial for the Capuchin Province of Mid-America. He was named secretary and treasurer for the province in 1980, and he became chief executive and provincial minister three years later.

Archbishop Chaput was ordained Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1988. Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Denver on February 18, 1997.

Visit the Archdiocese of Denver website at www.archden.org.