Over 10 Years, Cardinal Lightens His Touch, by Margaret Ramirez, Chicago Tribune [Chicago IL], April 29, 2007

Over 10 Years, Cardinal Lightens His Touch

By Margaret Ramirez
Chicago Tribune [Chicago IL]
April 29, 2007

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0704280422apr29,1,16052.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

When Cardinal Francis George stepped into his role as leader of the Chicago archdiocese in May 1997, his flock was still mourning the beloved Joseph Bernardin. The new archbishop realized he was facing a difficult transition and introduced himself humbly: "I am Francis, your neighbor."

Still, priests and members of the Roman Catholic community wondered exactly how this scholarly man would speak to their hearts and minister to their spiritual lives.

"There was wariness about the new person, the new guy on the block," said Rev. Donald Senior, president of the Catholic Theological Union and a close associate of the cardinal. "I think a lot of it was difference of style, different perspectives, different way of responding.

Cardinal Francis George ponders a question March 22, 2006.

"But adjusting in style is a two-way street. And now, there's a lot of respect and appreciation and esteem for the cardinal."

In 10 years as archbishop, George has shepherded the archdiocese through painful school closings and shameful sexual abuse scandals. He denounced racism as a sin and marched for immigrant rights. More recently, he waged a battle with bladder cancer.

In guiding the church and tending to his own struggles, the cardinal was transformed in the eyes of many observers from obstinate outsider to faithful pastor of Chicago's church. Priests and others who initially viewed George as cold and excessively critical now say they see him as personable and compassionate.

The Archdiocese of Chicago's new Archbishop Francis George talks with reporters after arriving in the city April 8, 1997.
Photo by Chris Walker

The cardinal, 70, remains committed to a strictly orthodox interpretation of church teachings, views that still clash with many veteran pastors.

Yet several priests said George's public shame and self-condemnation after revelations of alleged abuse by Rev. Daniel McCormack helped humanize the cardinal. His cancer diagnosis later last year also displayed the cardinal's vulnerability, spirituality and courage in the face of death.

"That period of time was when a lot of priests went through a significant shift in their attitude toward him. There was a deepening of respect," said Rev. William Tkachuk, pastor of Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg.

Cardinal Francis George kisses the ring of Pope John Paul II after being elevated to cardinal at St. Peters Feb. 22, 1998, in Vatican City. George was one of 19 new cardinals.
Photo by Bill Hogan

"I think it was a very transforming experience for him," Tkachuk said. "But there was also from both sides a feeling that we really do basically like each other. We really do basically work together. We really do trust each other."

Meanwhile, George's influence in the world church has soared. He is now seen as the leading American voice in Rome, mainly because of his role in mediating negotiations between U.S. bishops and the Vatican in 2002 that led to a national policy of zero tolerance on sexual abuse. After the death of Pope John Paul II, George was key in explaining to the public why Pope Benedict XVI had been selected to lead the church.

"Cardinal George is now seen as the intellectual leader of the American hierarchy and one of the most respected members of the College of Cardinals," said George Weigel, a leading Catholic theologian.

Cardinal Francis George celebrates mass at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary March 11, 2007, in Chicago. The school will close its doors in June.
Photo by Candice C. Cusic

Although George emerged as a leader on abuse issues, he entered his darkest hour with the fall of McCormack, who is accused of abusing minors after the archdiocese knew of concerns about his behavior.

"I know he was genuinely crushed that happened while he was archbishop," Tkachuk said. "He really wanted to believe that he could prevent it from happening. ... He was just crushed and sorry that kids were hurt while he was archbishop of Chicago."

As George celebrates 10 years as Chicago's archbishop, other challenges remain. The financially strapped school system is struggling to stay afloat. Church attendance is dwindling and, most important, the priest shortage is so extreme that pastors sometimes lead two or three congregations.

Cardinal Francis George addresses the rally in Grant Park, after thousands of people marched through the streets of Chicago to push for immigration reform May 1, 2006.
Photo by Terrence Antonio James

Rev. Matthew Foley of St. Agnes of Bohemia says the cardinal must place more responsibility in the hands of laypeople.

"We just don't have the priests anymore. We don't have priests," Foley said. "This is not the bishop's church, this is not the cardinal's church, this is not the pastor's church. This is the people of God's church. The sooner we move to the side, sometimes, the better off the church is."

George is still recovering from a hip injury suffered April 7 and declined to be interviewed until later this week.

Rev Daniel McCormack of St. Agatha Catholic Church, arrives at 26th and California for a conference with the judge in his case of sexual abuse March 21, 2007, in Chicago.
Photo by Terrence Nancy Stone

In his early years as archbishop, relations with pastors were tense. The cardinal, intelligent and exacting, didn't hesitate to speak about things in local churches that concerned him. Frustrated Chicago priests, known for their strong will and independence, branded George with a now-infamous nickname, Francis the Corrector.

But over time, priests say, the cardinal has opted to fight fewer battles and pastors have gotten to know him better.

"He's really bent over backward to move beyond that initial impression of 'Francis the Corrector,' to be a much more pastoral person," said Rev. Robert Kyfes, pastor of St. John Fisher in Chicago. "He changed, and priests changed in their understanding and appreciation of him."

Colleen Dolan, director of communications for the archdiocese, said: "It's hard to follow someone who was so loved. And it took time for people to get to know him. But there's something about meeting him face-to face that makes it different."

Still, many priests continue to disagree openly with the cardinal's strictness on church teachings.

"He definitely puts into practice what the Vatican seems to want. But the Vatican is not always the best advocate of what the church should become," said Rev. Donald Headley of St. Mary of the Woods in Chicago.

George receives much praise for his support of immigration reform and his passion for evangelization and making faith a part of daily life.

"Whether it was his citywide missions or the mass at Soldier Field, it was all meant to be an opportunity for evangelization and calling people to be more active in the church," said Rev. Donald Nevins of St. Francis of Assisi in Chicago.

Others laud the cardinal's abilities as a financial administrator and his success in minimizing church and school closings, though he made an unpopular decision to shutter Quigley Preparatory Seminary.

"The church previous to his coming, because of financial questions and population shifts, was very much in retrenchment mode," Senior said. "Although he has been forced to do some closings too, he wants to find more innovative and thoughtful ways to deal with the institutional heritage of the archdiocese.

"He's tried to draw a line in the sand and say, 'We're not going to keep closing and retrenching, but we've got to try to revitalize some of these institutions.'"

Sister Joan McGuire, director of ecumenical affairs for the archdiocese, said George stands apart for his outreach to Muslims. Senior also recalled that when the cardinal was getting back on his feet after cancer surgery, he insisted on attending an iftar dinner at a mosque.

The outreach reflects George's understanding of changing times, Senior said. "The importance in dialogue and crossing boundaries, the importance of trying to find a proper religious identity in a pluralistic society -- those are things that have characterized him as archbishop."

Though George has spoken publicly against abortion, he keeps a low profile in matters outside the church. Whereas some bishops grab microphones and scold politicians for taking communion, George says such matters should be addressed in private. He does speak to Mayor Richard Daley behind closed doors.

Maintaining Catholic schools, a problem haunting nearly every other U.S. diocese, remains the cardinal's most serious challenge, Nevins said.

"It has been a tremendous burden on parishes, and just the whole archdiocese, as far as how do we make these schools work," Nevins said. "We see the great good that they do. Yet people don't or can't pay for what it costs to run the schools. How do we figure that out?"

Senior said the educational component is part of a larger question: How do you do more with less?

"Where should a local church of such significance like Chicago put our resources? How do you balance the pastoral role and bureaucratic necessities to run a place like this? How to do that is part of what he's trying to figure out, too."

Anniversary events

Several events are planned to mark Cardinal Francis George's 10th anniversary as archbishop of Chicago, including a presentation by the cardinal Monday with four panelists from the Jewish, Muslim, Lutheran and Greek Orthodox faiths in Holy Name Cathedral's Parish Center. A black-tie reception and dinner will be held Saturday in the Hilton Chicago. And the public is invited to a mass in the cardinal's honor at 5:15 p.m. May 12 in Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets.

IN THE WEB EDITION: See more photos of the decade Cardinal Francis George has served in Chicago and watch Tribune religion reporter Margaret Ramirez discuss the changing perceptions of him at chicagotribune.com/cardinal.

Contact: maramirez@tribune.com