SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Bishop Blase Cupich (Soo’-pik) will be installed as the sixth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane, leading an office that has been financially battered by the priest sex abuse scandal.
The 61-year-old Cupich was appointed in June to replace retiring Bishop William Skylstad, former head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Cupich’s installation at Gonzaga University on Friday morning will focus on creating a better future for the diocese. Over 30 bishops from throughout the U.S. will attend the ceremony. Cupich for 12 years has been leader of the Diocese of Rapid City in South Dakota.
