1944 - Born in Concordia, Kan., son of Joseph and Marian DeMarais Chaput.
1965 - Joins the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, St. Augustine Province.
1967-1970 - Earns B.A. in philosophy from St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, Pa.; M.A. in religious education from Capuchin College, Washington, D.C.; ordained to priesthood.
1971-1977 - Earns M.A. in theology at University of San Francisco; instructor, theology, and spiritual director at St. Fidelis; executive secretary and director communications, Capuchin Province of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh.
1988 - Ordained bishop of Rapid City, S.D.
1997 - Installed as archbishop of Denver. A member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe, Chaput is the second Native American to be ordained a bishop in the United States and is the first Native American archbishop.
1999 - Founds John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
2002 - Co-founder, Centro San Juan Diego, serving pastoral needs of Colorado's Latino community.
2003-2006 - Serves on U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
2004 - Criticizes Roman Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, suggesting they are not true Catholics.
2005 - Member of U.S. delegation at Conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance.
2005-2008: Archdiocese of Denver settles 43 sex abuse allegations against priests for a total of $8.2 million. Chaput publicly apologizes to all victims and apologizes in person to victims who agree to meet with him.
2005 - Objects to bill in Colorado Legislature requiring hospitals to tell rape victims about emergency contraception. Says the church does not object to rape victims taking steps to prevent ovulation when there is no risk to a fertilized egg.
2006 - Opposes state legislation to extend statute of limitations for victims to file civil lawsuits years after alleged abuse, saying the church was unfairly targeted (the legislation failed). Supports lifting limitations for criminal prosecution of sexual abuse, a proposal that became law.
2008 - Says presidential candidate Barack Obama is "most committed" abortion rights major party candidate in 35 years. Suggests running mate Joe Biden, a Catholic, should refrain from taking Communion because of stance on abortion.
2009 - Chosen by Pope Benedict XVI to investigate the Legionaries of Christ, a disgraced religious order that confirmed that its late founder fathered three children and sexually abused young seminarians. Leads inquiry into Australian Bishop William Morris of the Toowoomba diocese, whom Benedict removed partly because Morris indicated he would ordain women and marry men if church rules allowed.
2009 - Condemns slaying of Kansas abortion doctor George Tiller. One of half-dozen American bishops who warn against letting government play too big a role in health care.
2010 - Criticizes Catholic Health Association, which represents 600 hospitals, for not lining up with bishops on health care overhaul. Defends decision by Catholic school in Boulder not to re-enroll two children of a lesbian couple.
July 2011 - Pope Benedict XVI appoints Chaput archbishop of Philadelphia.
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ONLINE: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia
ONLINE: The Archdiocese of Denver
