Local Pastors Welcome New Archbishop To Chicago

By Joe Boyle
Desplaines Valley News
September 24, 2014

http://desplainesvalleynews.com/local-pastors-welcome-new-archbishop-to-chicago-p1405-90.htm

Bishop Blase Cupich

Pastors on Chicago’s Southwest Side and southwest suburbs said they had a positive outlook after Pope Francis appointed Bishop Blase Cupich to replace Cardinal Francis George to lead the nation’s third largest diocese.

News began spreading Friday night that Cupich, 65, who has served as bishop of the Spokane, Wash., diocese for the past four years, would replace the ailing George, 77.

A news conference was held Saturday to officially introduce Cupich, who was born and raised in Omaha, Neb. George introduced Cupich, who he said “brings a deep faith, quick intelligence, personal commitment and varied pastoral experiences” to the church.

Cupich has been described as a moderate but he was quick to point out that “labels are hard for anybody to live up to.”

The Rev. John McDonnell, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish, 6435 S. Kilbourn Ave. in Chicago, admitted that he knew little about Cupich. However, he was pleased what he heard this past weekend.

“I think he was impressive,” said McDonnell. “I think people are basically upbeat. They look it as a nice beginning.”

McDonnell said that parishioners at his West Lawn church have not been calling the rectory nor commenting on the new appointment. However, parishioners appear to like what they have heard so far from Cupich. McDonnell said that his appointment was an indication that Pope Francis wanted a leader with a more pastoral approach.

“He (Cupich) has strong feelings on immigration reform,” added McDonnell. “Of course, the College of Cardinals has spoken in favor of immigration reform for years. He seems to want to deal with social issues.”

McDonnell and other pastors said Cupich’s appointment was not that surprising in light of George’s physical condition.

George submitted his letter of resignation in 2012 at the age of 75, which is required of all bishops. While hoping to lead the Chicago Archdiocese for several more years, he was diagnosed with cancer in August 2012 and underwent chemotherapy. The disease was confined to his right kidney.

He is the first Chicago archbishop to meet his successor.

In August, George said he was taking part in a clinical research trial of new cancer treatment at the University of Chicago Medical Center. He was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2006.
George has served as the leader of Chicago’s archdiocese of 2.2 million for 17 years, replacing Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who died in 1996.

Comparisons have been made between Cupich and George, who is considered to be more conservative.

The Rev. Michael Furlan, pastor of St. Germaine Parish, 9711 S. Kolin Ave. in Oak Lawn, said he was pleased with Cupich’s appointment. But he added that he likes George.

“He even admits that he can be blunt,” said Furlan in regards to George’s personality. “But he was always willing to sit and talk things out. I kind of like that. You may disagree with him but he is willing to talk.”

He added that many people do not know the personal side of George, who he said often showed a self-deprecating sense of humor in private.

Furlan said that parishioners were looking forward to Cupich’s appointment.

“Most of the parishioners look forward to his pastoral approach,” said Furlan, who said that describing Cupich as a moderate will depend on the issue.

“If the question is about the right to life, he stands along with Catholic doctrine on this issue,” said Furlan regarding abortion. “He may just have a different style. Even Cardinal George said that.”

George had to deal with major issues during his tenure, including the closing of many Catholic schools due to dwindling enrollment and the sexual abuse scandal.

“As far as abuse, Cardinal George was an architect of the zero tolerance policy,” said Furlan. “There are groups out there that no matter what we do, it is not enough.”

One of those groups would be the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, which has questioned Cupich’s term in Spokane regarding abuse by priests. The group believes the bishop has not done enough to deal with the problem of sexual abuse among some priests.

Cupich will be installed as the ninth archbishop of the Chicago archdiocese on Nov. 18 at Holy Name Cathedral.