Cardinal Blase J. Cupich

January 08, 2020

Peace, a journey of solidarity and fraternity

In the summer of 1995, I joined some friends on a trip to Germany, 50 years after the end of the World War II. Visiting a small town one day, we were drawn to the center square by a band playing the “Star Spangled Banner.” As we drank beer and ate brats, we struck up a conversation with some locals.

December 18, 2019

The shepherds have much to teach us

I have always found it striking that the first people to learn of the birth of Jesus were the shepherds on the hillside outside of Bethlehem. It is as if Luke the evangelist is telling us to pay attention to them if we want to understand how we should respond to the birth of Jesus.

December 04, 2019

Children surprise and challenge us

I stand in awe at the many ways parents sacrifice for their children, generous in giving them time, talent and treasure without question. But these days of Advent invite us to reflect on the many ways children contribute to our lives, especially as we believe that God reveals himself in the face of a child.

November 20, 2019

The call to holiness in an election year

A few weeks ago, I was invited to talk to a group of young Catholics about what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus. During the question and answer period, I was asked how our faith should inform our politics and our voting decisions.

November 06, 2019

Inculturation: A two-way street

During last month’s Synod for the Amazon held in Rome, an incident occurred that outraged many people. Early one morning, two people removed from the Church of St. Mary in Traspontina statues that were used in the opening ceremonies of the synod — and threw them into the Tiber River.

October 23, 2019

New guidelines for celebrating the Rites of Christian Burial

Over this past year, the Presbyteral Council helped me develop guidelines designed to assist parishioners and parish staff in the preparation of Masses of Christian Burial. I am intentionally issuing these guidelines on All Souls' Day, Nov. 2, the day we set aside exclusively to pray for the dead. As such, it serves as a point of reference for all of our rites of Christian burial.

October 09, 2019

Amazon Synod: Toward an integral ecology

This month, bishops from the Amazon region are gathering in Rome with representatives from the worldwide church for a special synod called by Pope Francis. From Oct. 6 to 27, participants will focus on two areas as noted in the theme chosen for the synod: “Amazonia: new paths for the church and for integral ecology.”

September 18, 2019

Recovering our sense of solidarity

More than a quarter-century ago, the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin spoke about the futility of treating important issues like abortion, capital punishment, nuclear proliferation, the use of military force and others as discrete topics. He argued for a consistent ethic of life, thereby connecting these issues in a comprehensive way.

September 04, 2019

Archdiocesan Women’s Committee responds to the issue of clericalism

We are blessed to have a number of lay commissions and councils, which I rely on to provide advice and support. I view their collaboration as key to the kind of shared governance needed today in the church. One of the groups I depend on is the Archdiocesan Women’s Committee. This advisory body represents women from all six vicariates, and meets with me throughout the year.

August 21, 2019

A state that serves the nation

Last January, you may recall, the bishops of the United States gathered at our seminary in Mundelein for a retreat at the invitation of Pope Francis. He sent Italian Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa as the retreat director. Father Cantalamessa has served as preacher to the papal household since he was appointed by Pope John Paul II in 1980.
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