The church must stand together as one.
That was one of the points of the Most Rev. Charles Chaput’s lecture, “The Vocation of Christians in American Public Life.”
Chaput, the archbishop of the Denver Archdiocese, lectured on the theological differences between Catholics and Protestants, but he said there are enough similarities between the two denominations that there should be more unity between them.
Chaput, who spoke at Dunham Theater on March 1, also said that Christians must live their faiths in their everyday lives and not just call themselves Christians.
Before the archbishop began his lecture, Chaput said that his views were his own and not that of the American bishops or the Houston Catholic community.
“I’m here as a Catholic Christian and an American citizen,” Chaput said. “Both of the identities are important.”
Chaput explained that within the last 100 years the country’s Christian character is not as strong as it used to be. He said Christians, including Catholics, live their faith as if it were a private matter.
Chaput’s lecture included a question and answer segment moderated by Dr. Paul Bonicelli, provost, where Chaput answered questions submitted by the audience. Chaput and Bonicelli discussed topics including the division between the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church. He said that over the years he has talked with leaders of both churches who hoped the division would end soon.
He also said that the only way to reach the youth in the Catholic Church is with help from the youth. Chaput looked to the audience and said young people should help teach church leaders how to bring in the youth.
The event also signaled the beginning of a partnership between Houston Baptist University and the University of St. Thomas as both universities worked together to host Chaput at different events.
Bonicelli along with Dr. Hunter Baker, associate provost and director of strategic planning, and Dr. John Hittinger, professor of philosophy at St. Thomas and director of the John Paul II Forum, worked together to bring Chaput to the University.
Baker said he met with Hittinger and Bonicelli to collaborate on an event for both universities. All three men heard Chaput speak before and decided that HBU should have him speak since the archbishop was coming to speak at the John Paul II Forum on March 2 at St. Thomas.
“This event was great and terrible at the same time,” Baker said. “Terrible because it made us realize that these two great Christian institutions never put together an event like this before and great because now we know that both universities want to work together in the future.”
Hittinger agreed and hopes that both universities can continue to hold forums to discuss faith and important political issues.
In fact, Chaput recited the University’s guiding scripture, John 14:6 which says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He said it burns hot in his heart and the heart of every Catholic who truly understands his faith.
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