Blase Cupich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Blase Cupich |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop of Chicago |
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Cupich preaches at a Mass in 2021 at Saint John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Chicago |
| Appointed | September 20, 2014 |
| Enthroned | November 18, 2014 |
| Predecessor | Francis George |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | August 16, 1975 |
| Consecration | September 21, 1998 by Harry Joseph Flynn |
| Created Cardinal | November 19, 2016 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Blase Joseph Cupich |
| Born | March 19, 1949 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Previous post |
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| Education |
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| Styles of Blase Joseph Cupich |
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| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Chicago |
Blase Joseph Cupich (SOO-pitch; born March 19, 1949) is an American Catholic leader. He has been the Archbishop of Chicago since 2014. He was made a cardinal in 2016.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Cupich became a priest in 1975. He was chosen as Bishop of Rapid City in 1998 by Pope John Paul II. Later, Pope Benedict XVI named him Bishop of Spokane in 2010. In 2014, Pope Francis chose him to be the Archbishop of Chicago. In 2016, he became a member of the Congregation for Bishops in the Vatican. He also joined the Congregation for Catholic Education in 2017.
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Early Life and Education
Blase Cupich was born on March 19, 1949, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the third of nine children in his family. His family had roots in Croatia. His father was a letter carrier and later led the Sarpy County commission. His mother was a homemaker.
His grandparents came to the United States from Croatia. They found jobs in the meat-packing industry in Omaha.
Cupich went to Benedictine Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School. He then attended Saint John Vianney Minor Seminary and Archbishop Ryan High School in Omaha. He studied at Saint John Vianney Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1971.
After college, Cupich went to Rome. He lived at the Pontifical North American College seminary. He studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1974 and a Master of Theology degree in 1975. He can speak six languages, including English and Spanish.
Becoming a Priest and Early Work
Cupich was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Omaha on August 16, 1975. This took place at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Omaha. Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan ordained him.
After becoming a priest, Cupich worked at St. Margaret Mary Parish. He also taught at Paul VI High School in Omaha. In 1978, he became the director of the archdiocese's Office for Divine Worship. He also led the Commission on Youth until 1981. He continued his studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He earned his licentiate degree there in 1979.
In 1980, Cupich taught at Creighton University in Omaha. In 1981, he moved to Washington to work for the Vatican's embassy in the United States. He sometimes spoke for the embassy. During this time, he earned his doctorate degree in 1987 from Catholic University.
He returned to Nebraska in 1987 and became the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Bellevue. Two years later, he moved to Columbus, Ohio. There, he served as president-rector of the Pontifical College Josephinum. In 1996, he returned to Nebraska. In 1997, he became the pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Omaha.
Bishop of Rapid City
On July 6, 1998, Pope John Paul II appointed Cupich as the seventh bishop of Rapid City. He was officially installed on September 21, 1998. The ceremony took place at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City.
As bishop, Cupich made some changes to how certain church services were held. He also served on committees for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB). From 2000 to 2003, he was on the Committee for Young Adults. He later led the Committee on Protection of Children and Young People starting in 2008.
After the 2008 United States presidential election, Cupich encouraged other bishops to work with the new government. He said they should focus on helping the community.
Bishop of Spokane
On June 30, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cupich as bishop of Spokane. He was installed on September 3, 2010, at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.
In 2011, Cupich advised priests and students not to protest outside certain clinics. He said that decisions about difficult topics are often made in private. He also said that the Church should be open and honest with its members.
Cupich supported Gonzaga University's decision to invite Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu to speak in 2012. He also allowed Catholic Charities employees to help people sign up for health care insurance in 2014. He believed that health care is a basic human right.
Archbishop of Chicago
On September 20, 2014, Pope Francis chose Cupich to be the new Archbishop of Chicago. He officially took office on November 18, 2014. Cupich decided to live at Holy Name Cathedral instead of the larger archbishop's residence.
In April 2015, Cupich announced a major reorganization of the archdiocese. He made changes to staff and created a new Hispanic Council. In March 2021, the archdiocese planned to combine some parishes.
In August 2015, Cupich wrote in the Chicago Tribune. He spoke about the importance of protecting all human life. He said that while some actions are very upsetting, people should also care about those who suffer from lack of medical care, racism, hunger, or violence.
In December 2021, Cupich placed some restrictions on certain traditional church services. He supported changes that promote a unified way of celebrating Mass. In June 2022, the Vatican named Cupich to a new role related to divine worship.
In August 2024, Cupich gave the opening prayer at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Synod on the Family
In September 2015, Pope Francis asked Cupich to join a meeting of bishops in Rome. This meeting was called the Synod on the Family. Cupich supported helping people in different life situations. He emphasized the importance of a person's conscience. He said that the Church's job is to help people make decisions in good conscience and respect those choices.
Becoming a Cardinal
On October 9, 2016, Pope Francis announced that Cupich would become a cardinal. He officially received this honor on November 19, 2016. He was given the title of cardinal-priest and assigned the church of San Bartolomeo all'Isola in Rome.
As a cardinal, Cupich was able to vote in the 2025 papal conclave. This conclave elected Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.
Other Roles
Within the USCCB, Cupich has led the Bishops' Committee on the Protection for Children and Young People since 2008. He is also a member of other committees, including those on Liturgy and Communications. In 2014, he chaired the Committee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
Cupich is on the board of the Catholic Extension Society and the Catholic Mutual Relief Society. He has also served on the board of St. Paul Seminary. He was the chair of the National Catholic Education Association starting in March 2013.
In July 2016, Pope Francis named Cupich a member of the Congregation for Bishops. After becoming a cardinal, he also joined the Congregation for Catholic Education in 2017.
Cupich is a co-chair of the National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue. He is also the chancellor of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. He is a leader in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
His Views
People often describe Cupich as a "moderate" leader. He is seen as someone who shares similar ideas with Pope Francis. He has been inspired by leaders like Pope John XXIII and the changes of the Second Vatican Council.
In 2017, during a visit to Zagreb, Croatia, he hoped for the quick recognition of Alojzije Stepinac as a saint.
Protecting Life
Cupich believes in protecting all human life. He has spoken about the importance of caring for children after they are born. He also believes in helping those who are suffering.
Gun Violence
Cupich has spoken out against gun violence. After a school shooting in 2013, he said that a nation that grieves for children killed in schools should also grieve for other lives lost. After a 2022 school shooting, he stated that the right to bear arms should not be more important than human life. He believes elected officials have a duty to protect children.
Helping Others
In June 2014, Cupich spoke about helping others. He believes that people should work together and support each other. He said that focusing only on oneself can be harmful. He supports Pope Francis's idea of "encounter and accompaniment," which means meeting and walking with others.
Fairness and Respect
In 2008, Cupich wrote about racism. He said that racism is a sin. He believes that America should heal from the wounds of racism.
In 2012, Cupich wrote about marriage. He asked for a respectful and honest public discussion. He emphasized that the Catholic Church has no tolerance for hatred or disrespect towards any person. He believes that marriage is a natural part of human nature. He also said that his role as a pastor is to help people understand God's will. He believes in respecting people's decisions made in good conscience.
Images for kids
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Cupich preaches at a Mass in 2021 at Saint John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Coat of arms of Blase Joseph Cupich.
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Cupich praying at a 2017 Good Friday demonstration against gun violence in Chicago with Rep. David S. Olsen (on the right).
See also
In Spanish: Blase Cupich para niños
