The Viatorian Community joins with all of Chicago in welcoming Bishop Blase Cupich as the ninth Archbishop of Chicago.
photo by Karen Callaway/Catholic New World
“We graciously welcome him and offer our prayerful support as he begins his new call to ministry,” said Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, provincial.
Fr. von Behren will be in attendance at Holy Name Cathedral when Bishop Cupich is formally installed as the ninth shepherd of Chicago.
He will be among bishops, provincials and city dignitaries, as well as leaders of other faith traditions who have been invited to the service.
Bishop Cupich is the first major appointment in this country by Pope Francis and it is seen as a shift in tone by most experts.
Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, president of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, points to the new archbishop’s solid foundation in sacramental theology.
Bishop Cupich studied under Fr. David Power, OMI, an eminent liturgical theologian, and classmate of several of the faculty at CTU.
“He has both academic and pastoral experience and has been known as a consensus builder,” Fr. Francis says. “He will be concerned about bringing people together. I am delighted with his appointment.”
In accepting the appointment, Bishop Cupich expressed a humbleness and eagerness to immerse himself in “this great city and great local church.”
“Just as Pope Francis began his new pastoral ministry in Rome by asking the people to pray for him,” Bishop Cupich said, “so too, I now bow my head in the hope that everyone in Chicago will pray for me in the days ahead.”