Coming in a Blase of Glory: Chicago's New Archbishop

     Back in September, Pope Francis named Blase Cupich as the successor to the 77-year-old Cardinal Francis George as Archbishop of Chicago. On Tuesday, the appointment was made official when Cupich was installed as the new Archbishop in front of a packed house in Holy Name Cathedral. In his installation speech, he advocated for not becoming complacent with "the mountaintop of our self-assuredness, but rather walk into the mess". By all accounts, Archbishop Cupich is a demonstration of how Pope Francis is shaping the new face of the Catholic Church as a compassionate, caring front that is working to welcome back parishioners who have been jaded by the recent scandals that have befallen the Church.


     In his installation Cupich used an implement that had also been used by George Mundelein (a leader who was considered to be a compassionate and caring figure in his time as well) in his installation 99 years earlier, further symbolizing his reformist views.  In his installation address, Blase avoided making any overt political statements, instead making a point to recognize those who had shaped his ministry, such as his immigrant ancestors from Croatia and the Native Americans he had met as bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota(his previous posting).  Due to an interesting rule, Archbishop Cupich is not actually a Cardinal.  A diocese can only have one voting Cardinal at a time, and Francis George is eligible to remain one for another three years. After he turns 80, Cupich will become a Cardinal.


     Our new Archbishop is getting right down to business, going on a preaching tour of several ethnic parishes in the diocese.  He'll be going to the largest Polish parish in the city next month, but tomorrow he'll be going to a Lawndale parish that was caught right in the middle of the sex abuse scandal.  We can be sure that there are changes to come in the future, but through it all, Chicago has always had, and will continue to have, guidance from strong Archbishops, a club now joined by Blase Cupich.