CHICAGO (IL)
Daily Herald
By Don Babwin
Associated Press
Blase Cupich became the archbishop of Chicago on Tuesday after his predecessor handed him a bishop’s staff and relinquished the chair that symbolizes the leadership of the nation’s third-largest diocese.
During a Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, the transfer of power was completed as Cardinal Francis George, who is battling cancer, stepped aside to retire after being the spiritual leader of more than 2 million Catholics since 1997.
Later, Cupich, 65, spoke forcefully on the sexual abuse scandal that has plagued the church, including Chicago’s archdiocese. In one of his last official acts, George released files on three dozen priests who had been accused of sexual abuse in the last 60 years and whose crimes were in many cases concealed by the archdiocese.
“Working together to protect children, to bring healing to victim survivors and to rebuild the trust that has been shattered in our communities by our mishandling is our sacred duty,” he said, “as is holding each other accountable, for that is what we pledge to do.”
As he comes to an archdiocese that has shrunk in recent years and been forced to close schools amid declining enrollment, Cupich also spoke of the “formidable task” of passing on the faith to the next generation and his desire to bring young people back to the faith.
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