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Future Archbishop Cupich speaks to Chicago parishioners

Incoming Archbishop Blase Cupich knocks on the front doors before the Rite of Reception ceremony, at Holy Name Cathedral on State Street in Chicago on Monday. (Associated Press)
Don Babwin Associated Press

CHICAGO – The bishop set to become the leader of the third-largest diocese in the United States vowed Monday night that he will be active in the Chicago community by pushing for immigration reform, battling gang violence and helping the poor.

Blase Cupich, who comes to the archdiocese after serving as bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, delivered the homily at Holy Name Cathedral, speaking to hundreds of civic and religious leaders, including his retiring predecessor, Cardinal Francis George.

“You will find me a ready partner,” said Cupich, who today will officially become the archbishop of Chicago, overseeing an archdiocese that includes more than 2 million parishioners.

The service, called the Rite of Reception, started shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, with Cupich striking Holy Name’s front door three times, the sound of each blow reverberating through the hushed cathedral.

The door, symbolic of Jesus, swung open and then a procession slowly made its way down the center aisle, with applause erupting at the site of the 65-year-old Cupich and the 77-year-old George, who seemed frail from his battle with cancer, walking slowly behind him.

The service, steeped in tradition and symbolism, marks the first time in the history of this archdiocese that a new bishop has assumed leadership while his predecessor is still alive.

With George sitting in the cathedra, the ceremonial chair that is occupied by the archbishop of Chicago, Cupich greeted several religious and civic leaders, including Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

During the service, Cupich was presented with the Archdiocesan stole, a signal that he is being welcomed into the archdiocese.

In selecting Cupich, 65, to succeed George, Pope Francis was widely seen as sending a message with his first major appointment in the United States that he wants the new leader of the nation’s third-largest archdiocese as a pastor, someone who will emphasize mercy and minister to the disadvantaged.

During the service, Cupich sat to the right of George and did not sit in the cathedra. Today, George will present him with the crozier, or staff, that signals the leader of the archdiocese, and Cupich will sit in the cathedra – a signal that the archdiocese has a new leader.