Following the closing Mass of the first session of the Synod on Synodality in Rome this October, Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago (pictured left), spoke with America’s Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell. Cupich told O’Connell about his experience of the meeting and the synod’s synthesis document, published Oct. 29. This interview has been edited Read more
The Vatican Synod’s first assembly in Rome has concluded, marking an essential milestone in the Catholic Church’s journey towards a synodal-style church. The recently published final document guides the church in the coming 11 months and, while not as concrete as some might like, it highlights the role of bishops in leading the change and Read more
Near where Boystown’s Pride Fest was taking place in Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, led an LGBTQ+ Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. As the organ’s melodies filled the air, gay and lesbian congregants came together and raised their voices in hymns that resonated so strongly that they drowned out the approximately 20 anti-LGBTQ+ Read more
Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, expressed his surprise and concern over the Illinois attorney general’s failure to share information regarding new clergy abuse cases recently uncovered. During his visit to the Vatican, where he serves as a close adviser to Pope Francis, Cardinal Cupich spoke to The Associated Press about his disappointment in Read more
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich is pushing back on a clergy child sex abuse report released by the Illinois Attorney General. The investigation contends 451 Catholic clergy have sexually abused nearly 2,000 children in Illinois between 1950 and 2019, with Attorney General Kwame Raoul saying the number of abused children is considerably larger than the 103 Read more
An increasing number of Catholic institutions are mandating clergy and parishioners to have Covid-19 vaccinations, especially those who serve the community. Citing the need for the Catholic Church to “lead by example” and act responsibly to protect others during the coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso has said that all Church employees and Read more
Pope Francis has not commented about America’s Catholic bishops’ vote to deny US President Joe Biden Holy Communion because of Biden’s political support for abortion. The US bishops are drafting new guidance on the abortion-communion issue, which they expect to release in November. Their decision to vote about this matter flouts a letter from the Read more
The Rev. Michael Pfleger made a triumphant return to his Chicago parish following his reinstatement after an investigation cleared him of decades-old sexual abuse allegations. “It’s good to be home,” the 72 year old Pfleger told a raucous congregation at St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham. The audience included director Spike Lee and acting Chicago Read more
On January 30, Pope Francis met with Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, who was in Rome for a meeting of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. The Holy See Press Office did not release any information on the meeting other than that it took place. Much of the press speculated that the meeting was probably Read more
A major parish restructure involving mergers and closures has been announced in Chicago as part of Cardinal Blase Cupich’s “Renew my Church” initiative. Most of the mergers involve two or more parishes, many of which have schools associated with them. In two cases, four current parishes will be merged into one. The investigation and decision-making Read more