CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Tribune
By Dahleen Glanton, Lisa Black, Annemarie Mannion,
Tribune reporters
Roman Catholics across the Chicago area flocked to their parishes Sunday, expressing hope that their next archbishop, Blase Cupich, will be an extension of Pope Francis by welcoming more voices on matters such as same-sex marriage and helping to heal the wounds of the clergy sex abuse crisis.
From the city to the suburbs, many parishioners said the Vatican’s selection of Cupich to succeed Cardinal Francis George as the leader of the Chicago Archdiocese indicates the church might place greater emphasis on addressing social issues such as immigration reform and at least give an ear to those who disagree with some aspects of church doctrine. Many members have clashed with the more conservative George.
“He seems like someone who could be a breath of fresh air, like Pope Francis,” said Rita King, a member of St. James Catholic Church in Arlington Heights and a teacher at St. Viator Catholic High School in the village. “If he just kind of walks in, listening and learning, I think great things can happen.” …
Cupich also won praise from Chicago Archdiocese parishioners for his handling of the church’s sex abuse crisis: He had a reputation in Spokane for zero tolerance on the issue.
“He seems to have a vision and marched right into (addressing) it,” she said. “He’s going to be strong and lend that strength to the people, the victims and the priests who are good priests.”
e Francis, who surprised many when he was elected last year to succeed Pope Benedict XVI.
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