Two Archbishops with Local Ties in Running for Chicago Cardinal’s Successor

By Fred Bodimer
KMOX
June 3, 2014

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/06/03/two-archbishops-with-local-ties-in-running-for-chicago-cardinals-successor/

Archbishop Wilton Gregory. Photo: TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images

Catholic officials have confirmed the search for a successor for Chicago Cardinal Francis George has begun, and two archbishops with local ties are in the discussion.

Current Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory headed the Belleville Diocese during the height of the clergy abuse scandal from 1994 to 2004. He’s a Chicago native and a former Auxiliary Bishop there.

Another name being discussed is the current Omaha Archbishop George Lucas. He’s a St. Louis native and a former chancellor and vicar general of the St. Louis Archdiocese. He served as Bishop of the Springfield Illinois Diocese from 1999 to 2009.

Cardinal George was diagnosed with cancer a decade ago. He turned 75, the mandatory retirement age for bishops, in 2012. A successor could be named by late fall.

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