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	They Came to View New Leader & State Views on Church's Future By David Gambacorta, Jan Ransom Philadelphia Daily News July 20, 2011 http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/125872233.html They came out yesterday to see the two of them together, the old boss and the new one. As Cardinal Justin Rigali and his successor, Archbishop Charles Chaput, celebrated a noon Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul, many of those who packed the pews looked on silently, wondering where their church will go from here. They didn't get any clues from Chaput, 66, who didn't discuss during Mass his new job as the leader of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Those who streamed out of the cathedral afterward said they were optimistic that Chaput could help the Archdiocese emerge from the darkness of the seemingly never-ending clergy sexual-abuse nightmare. "I certainly hope that our new leader will help bring about some healing and recovery, as well as a new spirit of rejuvenation for the Archdiocese," said Rana McNamara, 31. "It's time for new leadership," said Don DiCarlo, 40. "I'm looking forward to change. I'm excited about [Chaput]. I love his background, and I think he's going to be great for the Catholic community in Philadelphia." Churchgoers expressed mixed feelings toward Rigali, 76, who has been criticized for his handling of the clergy abuse scandal. "I think it went as smoothly as it could have gone," said Theresa Belczyk, 22. "It was something that happened over a long period of time before he got here. I think he did the best he could do." A handful of Rigali's loudest critics stood in the sweltering heat to urge his successor to do more to help victims of sex abuse. "We're hoping [Chaput] will work to protect the victims, and that he will actually work with us to change the anti-crime laws and extend the statute of limitations," said Karen Polesir, director of the Philadelphia chapter of the Survival Network of Those Abused by Priests. "If you go by the past, history does repeat itself, and we're not going to be convinced until we see the change we need." Chaput's supporters spoke up as well. "He's very humble, very patriarchal and very personable," said Kristin Davis, 37, a native of Denver, where Chaput served for the past 14 years. "He'll be honest with you," added Rocco Palmo, author of the Catholic-oriented blog Whispers in the Loggia, who said he's known Chaput for years. "He has a combined sense of fidelity with enthusiasm." Contact: gambacd@phillynews.com
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