Ex-Spokane bishop Blase Cupich becomes Chicago archbishop in ceremony

CHICAGO – Blase Cupich became the archbishop of Chicago on Tuesday after his predecessor handed him a bishop’s staff and relinquished the chair that symbolizes the leadership of the nation’s third-largest diocese.

During a Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, the transfer of power was completed as Cardinal Francis George, who is battling cancer, stepped aside to retire after being the spiritual leader of more than 2 million Catholics since 1997.

The installation of Cupich – who was bishop of the Diocese of Spokane when he was selected by Pope Francis to succeed George – marks the first time in the history of the Chicago archdiocese that a new archbishop assumes leadership while his predecessor is still alive.

It also represents the pope’s first major American appointment, and sends a message by replacing a leading conservative cardinal with the more moderate Cupich that the pope wants more focus on mercy and compassion instead of divisive social issues.

Cupich, 65, spoke forcefully Tuesday on the sexual abuse scandal that has plagued the church, including Chicago’s archdiocese. In one of his last official acts, George released files on three dozen priests who had been accused of sexual abuse in the past 60 years and whose crimes were in many cases concealed by the archdiocese.