Archbishop Cupich outlines priorities for local church

On May 11, Archbishop Cupich sat down with editor Joyce Duriga to discuss his priorities for the Archdiocese of Chicago going forward.

Catholic New World: You’ve been archbishop of Chicago for six months. What has surprised you since you’ve been here? What are your priorities or areas of focus going forward in the next few years?

Archbishop Cupich: In terms of surprises the one I would point to is the very pleasant one that the transition has gone very smoothly. People have pulled together. They obviously want this transition time to succeed. They care about the archdiocese. Any trepidation I had in coming here has been eased by the willingness of a whole group of folks — from pastors to staff here in the archdiocese, to everyone involved in everyday work — in the way they came together. It was a nice, happy, pleasant surprise to me that it worked out so well.

In terms of where we’re going, I’ve identified three major goals that I would like to work on. First is to create a culture of collaboration. We really do have the talents and abilities of a diverse group of people to take up the tasks that are before us. I’ve said it before, there is not a challenge we face that we don’t have the human resources to pull together in order to address it.

The second would be that I also want to look for a way for the archdiocese to deliver its services and carry on its mission at a more local level. That will involve some decentralization.

We’re going to have to look at how we balance the need to establish quality control at a central level but maintain operational involvement at the local level. We will have to work this out and keep in mind that every vicariate is different. We want to make sure every vicariate has what it needs to carry out its responsibilities.

The third area has to do with the broader culture and the civic order. I want to be a partner with other civic leaders in taking up the challenges we face in society — whether it’s working with the poor, the immigrant, educating students, care of the sick or helping with the situation of violence in society.

Catholic New World: How do you envision this reaching out?

Archbishop Cupich: My job first of all is to get to know people who are involved in the civic community and to be respectful of their various competencies. I’ve already let it be known that we’re happy to be a partner.

For instance Cook County officials came to us indicating that they will need help in burying the indigent since state funding will end in July. I’ve asked Catholic Cemeteries to be of service and to work with the county to help with this. We can do that kind of service. It’s really part of our mission and I look forward to working with the county officials on that. That’s just the beginning of other projects we hope will continue.

Catholic New World: The archdiocese previously had a Hispanic council. What was the idea behind resurrecting the Consejo Hispano?

Archbishop Cupich: I don’t know too much about that. We are not resurrecting something that was before. I came up with the idea only because I knew that something had to be done. I gave it a particular focus and that is, first of all, for Father Adan Sandoval Duron to get together a group of people from the various Hispanic communities.

They, of course, are not all from Mexico — they’re from different places — Puerto Rico, different parts of Central America and so on. I want them to advise me on what their needs are and make suggestions about how we can best serve the people in that language group.

It may be that there was something before but I have my own intentions about that and want them to move forward.

Catholic New World: You recently appointed a chief operating officer and made some other appointments in areas relating to finances. How do you feel these changes will strengthen the archdiocese?

Archbishop Cupich: I think that it’s very important to have people involved in the actual dayto- day governance of the archdiocese who can bring transformative change. We need people to help reinvigorate our parishes, schools and our other institutions. The people we’ve gathered around in terms of administration know how to provide those resources or in fact be the resources to make that happen.

We cannot continue to do business as usual. We have to look at ways to be really responsive to the needs of the present day. The people that I have in those positions are really skilled in those areas.

For instance, Betsy Bohlen not only has the skills of good management but she also brings to the table the perspective of a professional woman of faith. We’ve been missing that and I think that we’re going to be better off by having that advice at the table.

Catholic New World: In recent interviews you did with Chicago news media it was mentioned that you’ve been given a balanced budget. Does that signal more cuts to archdiocesan staff or closing of parishes or schools?

Archbishop Cupich: The balanced budget is based on decisions already made. The cardinal announced the closing of six schools. We didn’t have layoffs. We had early buyouts. I think its important to make that distinction.

As for the early buyouts, a little over 50 people took it. That allows us to readjust some of our positions in the archdiocese. I’ve also asked for ways to generate other cost savings in the general operation of things.

We did have to make some tough decisions, but there is no reason to pass this problem on to the next generation. We have to live within our budget. Every family has to, so it only seems right that we try to live within our means.

Catholic New World: Can you talk a little bit about vocations? We have a vocations office and new appointments at Casa Jesus and St. Joseph Seminary. How important is that, specifically keeping up with the need for Hispanic vocations?

Archbishop Cupich: I believe that we need to focus very aggressively on vocation recruitment in all of our communities — Hispanic families who are in this country, as well as Polish and Filipino families. That’s where I would like to have the emphasis. It is not necessary to go to other countries and recruit. Besides they have their own struggles with maintaining sufficient vocations.

We have a population that should be able to support our vocation needs. That’s where I would like to put the emphasis. That would be my hope. I know that the people at the seminaries and in our vocations office are very intent on increasing those numbers. I assured them of my full support.

Catholic New World: How are you enjoying Chicago?

Archbishop Cupich: I very much enjoy the way the Catholic community is so much a part of the broader community. I was taken by the way people honored Cardinal George. As we were going to the cemetery, people were on either side of the street. construction workers and police and fire personnel, kids with signs.

There was a great affection, not just for him, I think, but as a way of people expressing their appreciation for the church. It really dawned on me that this is what Chicago is all about and I never want to take that respect for the church for granted or squander it.

It is clear that the archdiocese is a public resource in addition to serving the needs of the Catholic community and parishes.

By remembering that we are a public resource we can keep fresh what it means to be a partner in society that promotes the common good.