Cardinal George presides over memorial mass

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As some Roman Catholics mark the end of the Francis Cardinal George era in Chicago, others look forward to the new leader of the archdiocese taking over.

As Cardinal George celebrates his last days at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago's next archbishop is starting to adjust to his new home, and how to improve it.

At Friday afternoon's annual memorial mass for the deceased bishops, priests, and deacons, Cardinal George reflected on those that have passed.

"It's good for us to be with the Lord around his altar and with one another and our cathedral church as we commemorate again the anniversary of the death of Cardinal Bernardin and his predecessors in the episcopal offices here," the cardinal said.

As his final days at Holy Name Cathedral wind down, Archbishop-Designate Blase Cupich is gearing up for his role as leader of Chicago's Catholics. But he wants to do more, be more involved in the city and its many issues, like poverty and gun violence.

"It's going to take everyone to be involved in that, religious, civic leaders, political leaders, the business community. Violence is spread many times in poverty, in situations of poverty and inequality, so those have to be addressed," Cupich said.

That is music to the ears of Father Michael Pfleger, who for years has fought for the end of gun violence, and ran into problems with past leaders of the Catholic Church.

"It felt sometimes like you're an island out here speaking about it and I can tell you letters I've gotten from Catholics around the diocese and from other priests who said, "You know what, you need be more worried about your church and your school and not the violence in the neighborhood," he said.

Father Pfleger says he has yet to speak to Chicago's next archbishop but has plans to, and is very hopeful of what's to come.

"I'm hoping that this is going to be on the front burner for the diocese and for the city, and for his heart and his passion and I'm hoping it's going to be a new day," Fr. Pfleger said.

The installation for Chicago's next archbishop will take place next week.

St Sabina's choir will have a major part in one of the events. They were invited to participate in a Monday night interfaith service with Cardinal George and Archbishop-Designate Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral.

ABC7 will broadcast live coverage of the installation of Archbishop-Designate Blase Cupich. A special report will start Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. and can also be viewed live on abc7chicago.com.