Rumor Mill: Chaput to Replace McCarrick in D.C.?

From The Rocky Mountain News:

Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput's name is being churned in the rumor mill as the next archbishop of Washington, D.C. - and the noise is so loud that even Chaput is acknowledging it.

"Every other day I hear it from people who like to speculate," Chaput said Wednesday, calling the buzz "ecclesiastical gossip."

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He became nationally known for his tough talk to Catholic politicians and voters during the election season, saying they had to follow church teachings when deciding public policy issues such as abortion and euthanasia.

In May, Chaput was portrayed in a lengthy piece in The New Yorker magazine as a pivotal American bishop under the new Pope Benedict XVI. That month he also shared a dais with President Bush at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, where he continued his theme that Catholic politicians must practice their faith in their public life.

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However, if it came down to being asked whether he would accept a new post, Chaput said he would do what he could to stay in Denver.

"If consulted on the matter, I would say, 'No, I'm happy where I am.' "

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"Would he be a splendid and bold and persuasive voice for the Catholic Church in the nation's capital?" [Father Richard John] Neuhaus said. "My answer would be most emphatically, 'yes,' and therefore I would welcome such an appointment."

My Comments:
Boy, I bet Catholic-In-Name-Only politicians like Fat Teddy, John F. Kerry, Joe Biden, and Susan Collins would just love being called to the carpet for their anti-life votes by "Cardinal" Chaput.

UPDATED
For a foretaste of what the above-mentioned politicians might expect from a Cardinal Chaput, see "Chaput Targets Catholic Politicians":

WASHINGTON - Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput on Friday reignited his heated criticism of Catholic politicians who "don't conform" their lives to their religious beliefs.

"When public officials claim to be Catholic but then say they can't offer their beliefs about the sanctity of the human person as the basis of law, it always means one of two things: That person is either very confused or they're very evasive," he said.

Chaput made his remarks at the second annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, where President Bush also spoke.