Chicago archbishop to have leading role in sex abuse reforms
Archbishop of Chicago Blase J. Cupich receives congratulations from cardinals during the Ordinary Public Consistory celebrated by Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica on November 19, 2016 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
The Catholic archbishop of Chicago will have a leading role in the church's effort to seek reforms to prevent clergy sex abuse, including the response to new allegations from the Illinois attorney general.
Cardinal Blase Cupich was hand-picked by the pope to help organize an upcoming Vatican summit on the abuse. He expressed regret for the church's failures to address "the scourge" in a statement responding to the attorney general's report. That report was issued Wednesday. It says the church failed to disclose the names of at least 500 clergy accused of sexually abusing children.
Boston College theology professor Lisa Sowle Cahill says Cupich will have to represent the embattled church, the distressed laity and a public demanding justice.