Catholic Archdiocese sets news conference, AP reports Spokane bishop to succeed George
In an unusual move, the Archdiocese of Chicago has set a news conference for Saturday morning but has not divulged the subject, leading to speculation it involves the status of the ailing Cardinal Francis George.
The Associated Press is reporting that the Bishop of Spokane, Blase Cupich, will succeed George.
The 65-year-old Cupich has been the bishop of Spokane since September 2010, following a dozen years as bishop of Rapid City, S.D. If named to succeed George, he would be an archbishop when he arrived in Chicago, as was George.
A native of Omaha, one of nine children, Cupich was ordained a priest in August 1975 after attending the College of St. Thomas and the North American College and Gregorian University in Rome, according to his biography on the web site of the Spokane diocese.
Cupich is considered a moderate, viewed as more pragmatic than focused on dogma. According to various reports, he sometimes left both conservatives and liberals frustrated as he hewed to a middle ground within the boundaries of conservative Catholic teaching. He is widely viewed as responding quickly to the child abuse crisis and early on adopted a zero tolerance policy.
In Chicago, the transition to a more moderate could be a stark change from the conservative George.
George, who has been battling cancer, submitted a letter of resignation on his 75th birthday in January 2012. In May, the Archdiocese announced that the search for George’s successor already was underway, making it possible George would be the first leader of Chicago’s Catholics to meet his successor.
All previous top Chicago prelates have died before turning 75.
George began a clinical trial of a new cancer drug in August and canceled a trip to Rome that was scheduled for October, citing his need for the continued treatment. George had planned to meet with Pope Francis and had scheduled other meetings for his time at the Vatican, according to the Archdiocese.
The announcement of the news conference sparked speculation that George’s successor was set.
“The indications I have are that this is it,” said Rocco Palmo, a Philadelphia writer who covers the Catholic Church hierarchy.
The Associated Press is reporting that the Bishop of Spokane, Blase Cupich, will succeed George.
The 65-year-old Cupich has been the bishop of Spokane since September 2010, following a dozen years as bishop of Rapid City, S.D. If named to succeed George, he would be an archbishop when he arrived in Chicago, as was George.
A native of Omaha, one of nine children, Cupich was ordained a priest in August 1975 after attending the College of St. Thomas and the North American College and Gregorian University in Rome, according to his biography on the web site of the Spokane diocese.
In Chicago, the transition to a more moderate could be a stark change from the conservative George.
George, who has been battling cancer, submitted a letter of resignation on his 75th birthday in January 2012. In May, the Archdiocese announced that the search for George’s successor already was underway, making it possible George would be the first leader of Chicago’s Catholics to meet his successor.
All previous top Chicago prelates have died before turning 75.
George began a clinical trial of a new cancer drug in August and canceled a trip to Rome that was scheduled for October, citing his need for the continued treatment. George had planned to meet with Pope Francis and had scheduled other meetings for his time at the Vatican, according to the Archdiocese.
The announcement of the news conference sparked speculation that George’s successor was set.
“The indications I have are that this is it,” said Rocco Palmo, a Philadelphia writer who covers the Catholic Church hierarchy.
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