On Tuesday, Blase Cupich was installed as the ninth archbishop of Chicago, replacing Cardinal Francis George. Archbishop Cupich isn't a cardinal yet, but as head of America's third-largest diocese, it's only a matter of time. Cupich (pronounced SOO-pitch), 65, is Pope Francis' first big appointment in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy, and along with Francis ally Cardinal Seán O'Malley of Boston, is now one of America's most liberal senior prelates.
People overuse the idea of liberal and conservative wings of the Catholic Church, but assuming, roughly, that liberals focus more on social justice issues (poverty, death penalty, peace) and conservatives focus more on socially conservative ones (contraception, abortion, gays and lesbians, culture war), Cardinal George, 77, is probably among the most conservative of the 18 U.S. cardinals.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theoriesThe Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk RoadUnder the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Catholic synod ends with no resolution on womenSpeed Read At a major Vatican meeting, Pope Francis did not address ordaining women as deacons
-
The Vatican's stand on gender-affirming careSpeed Read A new published document condemns gender transition, calling it a threat to human dignity
-
The United Methodist Church has lost 20% of U.S. congregations in schism over LGBTQ rulesSpeed Read
-
Pope Francis investigates Texas bishop, accepts early resignation of embattled Tennessee prelateSpeed Read
-
Southern Baptists expel Saddleback, 2nd church over female pastors, approve further clampdownSpeed Read
-
Thousands flock to Missouri to see body of nun who died in 2019Speed Read
-
Report finds nearly 2,000 kids abused by Catholic clergy in Illinois over decadesSpeed Read
-
Pope Francis is involved in 'mission' to bring peace to UkraineSpeed Read
