Editorial: A welcome, with hope, for new spiritual leader

It is common, if not always accurate, to see a private motive in the public actions of powerful people. So, it is not surprising to hear an undercurrent of presumption in the appointment last weekend of Bishop Blase Cupich to replace Cardinal Francis George as archbishop of Chicago.

Reports about Cupich's appointment invariably cited his reputation as a "moderate" and frequently contrasted him with his predecessor's "conservative" image. It is not our place to reflect on the appropriateness of either spiritual leader's approach to the religious doctrine they represent, but we do suspect that, as Cupich himself suggested, it is not labels that will ultimately define his success but actions.

The child advocacy group Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, commonly known as SNAP, was quick to make a similar point - albeit while urging skepticism toward the new archbishop's commitment to addressing the issue of priest sexual misconduct, one of the most persistent and serious public disruptions in the evolution of the Catholic Church over the past three decades. "Prudent people," the group said in a prepared release, "will remain skeptical and let Cupich hopefully prove through his deeds (not his words) that he is committed to the safety of children."

True enough. But Cupich's statement about his appointment, which applies to his views on dealing with pedophile priests no less than those on immigration reform, abortion, gay marriage or any of the myriad social issues roiling Catholic congregations, was more reflective.

"I think that (Pope Francis') priority is not to send a message but a bishop," he said. "And that's what he's sending you, someone to serve the needs of people."

Those needs come in many forms, and they are by no means limited to Catholics. Merely by virtue of the fact that Cupich sets the spiritual direction for nearly 40 percent of the population within the Archdiocese of Chicago, his ideas and his approaches will have a profound influence on all of us, regardless of our religious standing.

Indeed, a Baptist minister was among those who put Cupich's challenge in the context of all religious traditions. Said the Rev. Nathaniel Edmond of Elgin's Second Baptist Church, "I think that the church as a whole in the world is at somewhat of a crossroads. We must be both relative and contemporary and yet true to our mission. And I hope he is able to bridge that gap. And yet able to reach across lines to reach all segments of the world."

Any public leader who approaches his job seriously will act in ways that attract praise as well as in ways that attract criticism. Suffice it to say that whatever his label, Cardinal George steps down after 17 years with the respect, admiration and love of a broad mass of the Chicago-area population, not just the 2.2 million in his diocese who are Catholics. Bishop Cupich, whatever his political, social or spiritual leanings, should only hope for as much. And we should only welcome him with such a hope.