News Releases

Chicago, Ill. (April 3, 2020) – Pope Francis today announced that he has named Father Michael G. McGovern, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, Illinois. Pope Francis also announced that he had accepted the resignation of Bishop Edward K. Braxton, who was installed as the Bishop of Belleville in 2005. Bishop-elect McGovern, 55, is expected to begin his ministry in the Diocese of Belleville later this year.

Mundelein, Ill. (March 27, 2020) – The University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary announced today the postponement of the priesthood and diaconate ordination for candidates from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Given the current restrictions on large public gatherings in the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, the ordinations will be indefinitely postponed until public ceremonies can once again be scheduled.

Chicago, IL (March 24, 2020) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, and several Christian Bishops will lead a joint recitation of the Lord’s Prayer on March 25, 12 p.m. in response to Pope Francis’ invitation to all Christians to unite in prayer for healing and hope in light of the coronavirus pandemic. March 25th is a day in which many Christians commemorate the announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would be the mother of the Savior.

Chicago, IL (March 20, 2020) – Univision Chicago (WGBO 66) will broadcast a 30-minute Spanish language Mass from Holy Name Cathedral this Sunday, Mar. 22, 2020 at 10 a.m. The main celebrant will be Fr. Ismael Sandoval, director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Consejo Pastoral and Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Chicago. During this difficult time, it is particularly important that the faithful have access to the grace and comfort of Holy Mass.

Chicago, IL (March 20, 2020) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will preside over the Archdiocese of Chicago’s online Mass for this Sunday, March 22, 2020. ABC7 Chicago will air the Mass on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The Mass will also be available online starting Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 4 p.m. at archchicago.org. All Masses are also available at YouTube.com/catholicchicago and on the Archdiocese of Chicago Facebook page.

Chicago, IL (March 20, 2020) – Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, is asking Catholic parishes to ring their church bells five times a day, as a means of calling all to unite in prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prayer times will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, and continue every three hours each day, with the last bells rung at 9 p.m. Each of the five prayer times will be dedicated to a specific group particularly affected by the pandemic.

Chicago, IL (March 16, 2020) – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops today announced the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting (CBAR) Service has been established to receive reports of sexual abuse and related misconduct by bishops, and to relay those reports to proper authorities for investigation. This is the latest measure from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”) to be implemented.

Chicago, IL (March 6, 2020) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, together with a delegation of Jewish and Catholic leaders from Chicago, will reschedule their planned visit to Jerusalem, where the cardinal was scheduled to deliver the 25th Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture at Hebrew University on March 16, 2020.

The Archdiocese of Chicago today announced updates on the following Renew My Church groupings: 63rd Street, South Shore, West Ridge, Elk Grove Village, Southwest, East Side, Waukegan, and Ss. Genevieve and Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr.

Chicago, Ill. (Jan. 29, 2020) – The Archdiocese of Chicago and Big Shoulders Fund today announced a significant step in protecting the future of Catholic education, particularly on Chicago’s south and west sides. The organizations have entered into an agreement that will enable 30 schools serving 5,600 children, their families, and communities to continue to their mission.