Incoming Archbishop Chaput Helps Cardinal Rigali Celebrate Mass in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - After Philadelphia's new archbishop, Rev. Charles Chaput, was introduced to the news media this morning (see related story), he went before the people of Philadelphia to concelebrate his first mass in the city.

The new and outgoing leaders of Philadelphia's Roman Catholics shared the altar at a noontime mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  Cardinal Justin Rigali was the main celebrant, welcoming Archbishop Charles Chaput.

"We are here now to pray for our new archbishop, to invoke upon him the grace and strength that come only from the Holy Spirit," Rigali said.

Chaput did not address the congregation during mass.

Afterward, one woman there said she hoped that Chaput would bring the archdiocese together.

"I had heard about Archbishop Chaput for a few years now.  And everything I've heard sounds wonderful and I was really excited that we get him to be our new archbishop."

There was no mention during mass of the priest sex abuse scandal.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060