Chicago’s Roman Catholic archbishop-designate on Wednesday told church leaders attending a conference on helping poor church communities that Pope Francis is concerned more about the poorer members of society, not ideas.
Spokane, Washington’s Bishop Blase Cupich told those attending the Catholic Extension Mission Bishops Conference that Pope Francis is “concerned that leaders and policy makers ‘are stuck in the realm of pure ideas.'” Cupich says if true, it may mean those people are disconnected from realities.
Cupich said ideas are important, as they can classify and define, “but realities call us to action.”
Approximately 80 bishops have been gathered at this week’s conference in Lincolnshire, say a church spokesman.
Cupich’s appearance at the conference was planned prior to the recent announcement he will succeed Cardinal Francis George as the next Archbishop of Chicago when he is ordained on November 18.
