CHICAGO (IL)
National Catholic Reporter
Joshua J. McElwee | Sep. 20, 2014 NCR Today
ROME The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Wash., as the new archbishop of Chicago, confirming Friday’s early reports of the appointment.
While the Vatican press release only states the basic facts of the appointment — for example, giving Cupich’s academic background and ecclesiastical history — selection of the new Midwestern archbishop may give clearer view into what the pontiff is looking for in selecting prelates.
Cupich, a 65-year-old Omaha, Neb., native who served as a pastor and director of worship for that diocese before being appointed bishop of Rapid City, S.D., and then Spokane, will replace Chicago Cardinal Francis George, who is 77 and has been fighting cancer.
Known for a certain moderate stance amongst the U.S. episcopate, Cupich sought to tamp down fears during the U.S. bishops’ fight against a federal mandate requiring coverage of contraceptive services in healthcare plans that Catholic ministries might shut down over the issue.
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