Pope Francis Chooses Cupich to Lead Chicago Archdiocese

By Mary Ann Ahern
NBC Chicago
September 20, 2014

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Cardinal-Georges-Successor-May-Be-Named-Saturday-275838011.html

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Washington the next Chicago Archbishop, The Associated Press reported. 

The announcment was made Saturday morning by the Chicago Archdiocese. 

Cupich will succeed Cardinal Francis George, 77, who announced several months ago that he wanted to begin the process of finding his replacement after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

According to the Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Cupich, 65, was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Omaha in 1975. He was named Bishop of the Rapid City, South Dakota Archdiocese in 1998 before taking over the Spokane position in 2010.

Cupich was born in Omaha, Nebraska.

This will mark Pope Francis' first major appointment. Sources believe the Pope bypassed the Congregation of Bishops and worked the telephones on his own, calling Catholic leaders throughout the country to get a read on who would be best for Chicago.

Cupich had appeared on many lists of favorites for the position, but most agreed Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin was the frontrunner.

Many also expected the Pope's choice to be a Spanish speaker, and while Cupich doesn't speak Spanish, he is fluent in Italian.

Those who know Cupich describe him as a competent leader who's willing to take charge, and more of a peacemaker than a lightning rod.

The Spokane Diocese declared bankruptcy 10 years ago after settling sex abuse complaints, but sources say it was Cupich's leadership who got it back up and running.

But the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) issued a news release Friday stating Cupich "acted irresponsibly by exploiting bankruptcy law to avoid embarrassing disclosures about the complicity of the Spokane church hierarchy in dreadful crimes against kids." The organization claims more than 200 children came forward in Spokane.

Catholics throughout the world will be watching because it will also be a sign of who the Pope wants to lead the American church.