The bishop chosen by Pope Francis to be the new head of the Archdiocese of Chicago says that people should not read too much into the decision about the Catholic Church’s future direction.
Bishop Blase Cupich, of Spokane, has been described as a moderate and has called for civility in the culture wars.
During a news conference Saturday in Chicago, Cupich was asked several times about whether he would shift direction as a successor to Cardinal Francis George, who is particularly admired in the church’s conservative wing.
He responded simply that he would be himself and it was up to others to decide whether that constituted a change.