UNITED STATES
National Catholic Reporter
Brian Roewe | Oct. 2, 2014
During the introductory press conference Sept. 20 of the next leader of the Chicago Catholic church, Blase Cupich was, unsurprisingly, asked about the sexual abuse of minors by clergy.
The archbishop-designate responded that he is committed to protecting children and bringing “healing to people who have been victimized by clergy.”
Cupich then added: “I am not asking people to say that all of a sudden they find me a credible individual because they really don’t know me. I will just say that I will work hard at this and make it an important part of my ministry.”
To better understand whether Cupich might fulfill that pledge requires an examination of his track record on handling allegations and instances of clergy sexual abuse, one that includes stints in national positions as well as a lawsuit against former diocesan lawyers and a mediated settlement for future claims.
From 2002 to 2005, he served on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ ad hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse. That position placed him among those who in June 2002 drafted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, otherwise known as the Dallas Charter.
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