Cardinal George gives a silk rose and medal of St. Gerard to Aisha Nix-Hughes and her daughter Carrington, members of Infant Jesus of Prague Parish in Flossmoor, during a special Mass on Mother's Day, May 8., at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Throughout his ministry as a priest, bishop and archbishop, Cardinal George has touched the lives of many people — knowingly and unknowingly. Clergy sexual abuse survivor Michael Hoffman credits Cardinal George with helping his healing from abuse by an archdiocesan priest. “The act of meeting with Cardinal George as a clergy sexual abuse survivor and meeting with him at the residence was a very important day for me. And I think it was an important day for him as well,” Hoffman told the Catholic New World. “He and I spent about 45 minutes in conversation in the Mundelein room. It was a very important thing for me that he spent so much time but that the conversation was so good.” Hoffman brought photos of his abuser at family parties to show that he was a dear family friend and how much the abuse impacted not just him but his family.“The cardinal and I were able to have that discussion and that makes me feel good,” he said. “It was very helpful to me.”That Cardinal George is not just interested in restoring the victim but the victim’s family is something that Hoffman says “the average person in the archdiocese would not know at all.”Another time that touched Hoffman’s heart was at the first Mass of Atonement and Hope held in 2012 at Holy Family Church, 1080 W. Roosevelt Road, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Cardinal George was going through cancer treatment at the time. “He participated in these Masses even while under chemotherapy and radiation treatments and health concerns,” Hoffman recalled. The cardinal’s homily was about achieving balance in our lives, which Hoffman said touched him. “That homily and his personal witness — just his strength of character. He could have easily said, ‘I’m tired today. I’m not gonna do this today, I’m undergoing cancer treatments.’ And he didn’t,” he said. Cardinal George’s homily inspired Hoffman to act. “That caused me to take action and actually go out and do some other volunteer work and reconciling work on this issue,” he said. “His actions caused me to act and I would like people to know that.” Cardinal George was also personally involved in the Healing Garden at Holy Family Church. “I’ve referred to that as the cardinal’s leadership and vision on this issue because there’s no line in the Dallas Charter saying that the diocese had to put together a healing garden,” he said. “He didn’t have to do this and yet he did. I think it’s a risk. He took a risk.” Hoffman said people should know about that risk and that the risk was taken to achieve reconciliation. More than media image Marge Livingston of St. Phillip the Apostle Parish in Northfield first got to know Cardinal George when she served as president of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, (1998-200)) when she was the first woman to head the board, and then later through Catholic Extension. Cardinal George is a “wonderful man,” Livingston said. “He’s very kind, very caring, very intelligent, just a very warm sunny person — someone you would like to have as a dinner companion or sit next to on a plane,” Livingston said. “Unfortunately the media coverage, which is so quick, never captures that. So unfortunately many of the people in the archdiocese don’t see that cardinal that I see.” She recalled Cardinal George’s gift of seeking out those who didn’t agree with him during an event when she was president of the board at Catholic Charities and there was a state legislator who differed with Cardinal George on issues. The legislator was supportive of Catholic Charities but differed with the church. “All he really wanted to do was dialogue with her. And, of course, everyone else just wanted to get the place dedicated,” Livingston recalled. “He was very anxious to dialogue with people, to talk about things they didn’t agree upon, to see where they were and try and move from there.” He’s inspired Livingston in her own faith journey. “He has great faith during this time of difficulty with his illness. It’s incredibly inspiring that he’s able to persevere and always know that God is with him,” she said. “We’re certainly all going to miss him. We wish him well and hope for the best.” Inspiring a bishop Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Alberto Rojas is the only person to be ordained both a priest and a bishop by Cardinal George. “It has been a real honor, and at the same time, it humbles me and challenges me to continue my ministry with an openness to learning and focusing my service on the mission of Christ among us,” he said. “It will always remind me that my priesthood is not about me but about Christ and his love for the salvation of the world.” Bishop Rojas appreciates Cardinal George’s ministry more now that he himself is a bishop. “When I realize the challenges and the work in my own ministry as an auxiliary bishop in Vicariate III, I cannot even imagine how he is able to handle the entire archdiocese, and on top, committing himself to other duties such as being the chair of some committees and becoming the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,” Rojas said. Cardinal George’s affection for the people of the archdiocese sticks out in Bishop Rojas’ memory. “He spends hours standing and talking to people despite his limitations to walk; his love for the people of God overcomes his limitations and sacrifices,” he said. “I love him for I see Christ in him as he goes about showing Christ’s love for the church and his priests; I see a shepherd who guides me, instructs me and protects me as a beloved sheep of his flock; I see a father who cares and loves his children; I see a brother who always lends a hand. His trust in God’s providence that I could become an auxiliary bishop in Chicago was definitely a humbling lesson I never expected; with his testimony of faith and works, he has always shown me that Christ Jesus is in charge.” Available to religious Cabrini Sister Joan McGlinchey had already been vicar for religious for five years when Cardinal George was appointed archbishop of Chicago in 1997. The first time she met him was during his installation, she said. The two occasionally clashed, especially at the beginning of their relationship. “I remember once he spoke loudly to me and I spoke loudly to him, and I don’t even remember what it was about,” she said. Now, seeing the cardinal prepare to retire, Sister Joan said, “I am going to miss him. I found him to be very supportive, very much having my back in the organization.” Cardinal George, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, understands the needs of religious, and particularly the needs of religious women, Sister Joan said. He took the time to listen to them and understand what they needed. For example, he supported the creation of an organization of Hispanic women religious, who come as missionaries from their home countries to work with their fellow immigrants. The Association of Hispanic Women Religious in the United States has grown over the past six years, she said, due in part to Cardinal George’s backing. “He has been instrumental in hearing the women and filling their needs,” she said, and he allowed her to pursue her emphasis on serving the immigrant religious. He also has spent time with leaders of religious congregations when they are experiencing difficult times. “He’s been very available to women religious leaders when they need them,” she said. He was supportive to Sister Joan herself when she spearheaded efforts to reopen the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, she said. Most important, she said, is the example he set. “His love for the church, its universal mission being lived out locally has really shaped my mission for the last 17 years,” Sister Joan said.