Cardinal designate Cupich 'humbled and encouraged' by appointment

(Vatican Radio) One of those designated by Pope Francis to become a new Cardinal during the Consistory on 19 November in St. Peter’s Basilica, is Chicago Archbishop Blase J. Cupich.

A statement released by the Archdiocese of Chicago immediately after the announcement says that Archbishop Cupich was appointed to head the Chicago archdiocese, the nation’s third largest, by Pope Francis on September 20, 2014.

The statement also carries a message from the Archbishop himself:

“The news this morning that Pope Francis has named me to the College of Cardinals is both humbling and encouraging. I offer my best wishes to the other Cardinals-elect, especially Kevin Farrell and Joseph Tobin, and I look forward to joining with them and the other cardinals as we work together with the Holy Father for the good of the Church."

“When Pope Francis appointed me Archbishop of Chicago more than two years ago, the people of the archdiocese welcomed me as a friend and brother and I committed wholeheartedly to serve them. The role of Cardinal brings new responsibilities, but with your prayers and help, we will continue the task we have begun of renewing the Church in the archdiocese and preparing it to thrive in the decades ahead.”

Please find below a biography of Archbishop Cupich:
 
Archbishop Blase Joseph Cupich was born on March 19, 1949, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Blase and Mary (Mayhan) Cupich. He is the third of nine children, with five sisters and three brothers.
Archbishop Cupich was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Omaha on August 16, 1975. He was pastor of two large suburban parishes in Omaha. He was appointed Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, on July 7, 1998, and was ordained and installed on September 21, 1998. He was appointed the sixth Bishop of Spokane, Washington, on June 30, 2010, and officially installed on September 3, 2010. Archbishop Cupich was appointed Archbishop of Chicago on September 20, 2014, and was installed as the ninth Archbishop of Chicago on Tuesday, November 18, 2014.

Archbishop Cupich obtained his B.A. in Philosophy from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1971. He attended seminary at the North American College and Gregorian University in Rome, where he received his Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology in 1974, and his M.A. in Theology in 1975. Archbishop Cupich is a graduate of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where, in 1979, he received his Licentiate of Sacred Theology degree in Sacramental Theology. He also holds a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree as well as in Sacramental Theology, from the Catholic University of America, awarded in 1987, with his dissertation entitled: “Advent in the Roman Tradition: An Examination and Comparison of the Lectionary Readings as Hermeneutical Units in Three Periods.”

Additionally, Archbishop Cupich served as a secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. He was also the Chair for the USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People from 2008-2011 and for the National Catholic Educational Association Board from 2006-2008.

On July 7, 2016, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Cupich to the Congregation for Bishops.
Archbishop Cupich also serves on many committees, including: the USCCB Communications Committee; the USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, National Dialogue Initiative with Muslims, Co-Chair; the USCCB Subcommittee for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, Chair; Catholic Church Extension Society, Chancellor; and The Catholic Mutual Relief Society, Executive Member. He is also Chancellor of the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois.