Blase Cupich Spends First Full Day As Archbishop Of Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Archbishop Blase Cupich welcome tour rolls on as he spent his first full day in his position as head of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports it was a day of firsts for the new Archbishop: First real event, first day at the office and first night spent in his new bed at Holy Name's rectory.
There was no long line of bishops today, just a few priests and auxiliaries. No mitres on their heads, or croziers in hand. That was his choice, setting a more informal tone.
"He said he's comfortable here already and he's only spent one night in that new bed," Monsignor Daniel Mayall. "He had breakfast with us this morning."
He began his homily on his first full day as archbishop, by crossing us up and not approaching the lectern to delivery his homily.
"I hope you're okay with me staying seated as I talk to you. I know that I'm going to have a long receiving line standing," Cupich said.
The warmth and informality wasn't lost on those who were there.
"He's going to be a great shepherd for the people of Chicago," said Sister Joyce Shanabarger of Frankfort.
Joe Schmidt, President of St. Patrick High School, says "He's awesome. He's one of us."
The difference between Cupich and his predecessor was clear to those who were there and those visiting for yesterday's installation.
"Cardinal George is such an intellectual giant that many of us were afraid to talk to him," said Cardinal Emeritus Roger Mahoney. "Archbishop Cupich, he's been a real pastor for so long that you can't take the pastor out of the archbishop."
Cupich has already set a schedule of masses for coming Sundays, beginning, as we reported last night, with a symbolic show of commitment to the protection children. The archbishop will celebrate mass at St. Agatha's on the West Side, the parish where former priest Dan McCormack abused as many as two dozen young boys before pleading guilty and leaving the priesthood in 2006.
Archbishop Cupich told CBS 2's Mike Parker that he supports President Obama's looming move on immigration reform.
Obama announced on Wednesday that he will issue an executive order granting temporary protection from deportation to some five million immigrants here without documents. It's an issue dear to the archbishop's heart.
"Our bishops conference has supported action that would stop that deportation as least temporarily as a stopgap until a more permanent arrangement can be made."
Earlier, Mayor Rahm Emanuel talked about the Archbishop's stand on the issue.
"As you listen to what the archbishop has talked about, it is directly relevant to the executive order the president is going to sign. He has been an outspoken and bold voice for immigration reform."
"It is a matter of families and it is also a matter of heritage our country. We are better than this," Cupich said.