CBA Record November 2016

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ARCHBISHOP BLASE CUPICH ADDRESSES CBA MEMBERS
Forming Alliances to Find Solutions
By Pamela Sakowicz Menaker, Editorial Board Member
Speaking shortly before his formal
elevation to Cardinal, the message
of Cardinal-Designate Archbishop
Blase Cupich was clear: the Catholic
Church wants to be an integral part of the
ecumenical solution in fighting violence
in Chicago, “forming alliances for mutual
respect and trust” in a collaborative effort
with other religious and civic groups to
reverse the cycle of violence.
At a crowded luncheon at the Standard
Club on a brisk October day, Archbishop
Cupich addressed CBA members regard-
ing an issue that he said reporters asked
him about even as he stepped off the plane
some two years ago to head the Archdiocese
of Chicago. Then, the Archbishop said he
could only speak in generalities. For the
past two years, he has spoken to many com-
munity leaders, he has visited prisons and
even taken night rides with police officers
in an effort to understand the depth and
breadth of this issue. He said that he has
learned that the Catholic Church cannot
solve this issue alone. “We must all pull
together to help with short and long-term
goals,” he told the group.
The ecumenical spirit of the luncheon
was apparent from the very start when invo-
cations from Rabbi Steven Lowenstein of
Glencoe, Bishop James Dukes of Liberation
Christian Center on Chicago’s South Side,
and Monsignor Kenneth Velo of Old St.
Patrick’s Church demonstrated how everyone
was speaking from the same CBA pulpit.
The CBA’s effort on Restorative Justice
began years ago when Judge E. Kenneth
Wright, Jr., as CBA President invited to
Chicago Nobel Peace Prize winner and
the first South African Anglican bishop of
South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The international peace figure spoke to CBA
members about gun violence and possible
solutions at an interfaith dinner in 2009.
Archbishop Cupich is now taking on
that peacemaking role as he said he tries to
understand the multi-faceted issue due to
reasons including education, segregation,
racism, alcohol abuse, domestic abuse and
availability of weapons.
Seeks to Combat City’s Violence
He listed many programs at the Archdiocese
of Chicago already in progress trying to deal
with violence–from anti-bullying in the
schools to Mercy Homes for Boys and Girls
to the Anti-Violence Task Force Initiative to
the work of Catholic Charities, the largest
provider of social services in the state.
The CBA has worked for the past seven
years on its Restorative Justice Program
with volunteer attorneys who teach stu-
dents in fifth through eighth grades how
to handle heated conversations and stress-
ful situations in a more peaceful and civil
manner. Archbishop Cupich also men-
tioned the work of the Catholic Lawyers
Guild of Chicago that also is working on
Restorative Justice in Chicago.
His insight into the “power and control”
cycle that many people find as a way to solve
their problems stems from their witnessing
abusive behavior as children in the “toxic
environments” of their homes. He also
raised the interesting issue of “recapturing
the art of friendship.” He said that being
friends is no longer a matter of trusting
individuals; it has become a mere “transac-
tional exercise in back-scratching.” He went
on to say that “young people need to see
that this is not disingenuous discourse” on
the subject of reducing violence in Chicago.
In building friendships and collabora-
tive relationships, the Archbishop pointed
out that, “Friendships remind people that
we have so much in common.”
His 20-minute speech (which can be
viewed at
watch?v=3wW9a_BrP6M) received a
standing ovation–for his words as well as
for his evident commitment to helping
all of Chicago–bring together people of
all religions, races and ethnicities to solve
the complex issue of violence and to bring
justice to those who deserve a better chance
in life. His emphasis on early education and
of instilling good habits was well received.
The Archbishop took time to answer
questions from the audience and spoke at
length privately following his address with
several African American religious leaders
who were in attendance. As he prepared for
his November trip to Rome to be elevated to
Cardinal, he said he would pray for a Cubs
victory in the World Series. Even sports, he
said, is a way to stave off gang violence.
Note: The Very Rev. Gregory Sakowicz is the
Rector of Holy Name Cathedral and is the
brother of Pamela Sakowicz Menaker, this
article’s author.
10 NOVEMBER 2016