There is a wise old aphorism about decision-making at the Vatican: Those who know don’t talk, and those who talk don’t know.
But since his appointment last year as archbishop of Chicago, one of the easiest predictions possible for Vatican-watchers was that Francis George would be named a cardinal, and probably sooner rather than later. It happened over the weekend, not quite nine months into his tenure as archbishop.
George’s elevation–like his appointment as archbishop–is a reflection of the personal esteem in which he is held by Pope John Paul II. Perhaps even more, it is a measure of the importance of the archdiocese of Chicago in the life of the Roman Catholic Church. It simply would not do to have this rich and richly diverse see of 2.3 million Catholics unrepresented in the highest councils of their church.
George was typically modest in reacting to his appointment. “Once you’re archbishop of Chicago,” he was quoted as saying, “you kind of know eventually–unless you really, really foul up–you’ll probably become a cardinal.”
In truth, George is still in the process of settling in in Chicago, putting his stamp on things, making his mark. He does not yet enjoy the stature of his predecessor, either in ecclesiastical affairs or civic ones. But it would be foolish to expect him to do so at this point–just as it was more than a little foolish for certain of his priests to take him to task several months ago, essentially for not being his predecessor.
Donning the red hat of a cardinal ought to help George create his own profile, cast his own unique shadow, both within the Catholic Church and in American society. He will be one of only 120 or so “princes” of the 900 million-member church eligible to cast a ballot for its supreme pontiff and one of the few whose voice must be heeded in Rome.
But the fact is that, red hat or no, George’s true influence will flow from the force of his personality, his intellect, his ability to be a pastor, teacher and shepherd to people–Catholics and non-Catholics alike–who hunger and thirst for spiritual succor.
Far from being an excrescence or a useless appendage, religion these days is viewed by most Americans in intensely practical terms. They measure its utility by the ability of its preachers to make theological messages relevant to the moral and spiritual dilemmas they face in daily life. To the extent that Cardinal George can do that, he will earn the respect and admiration that a red hat signifies.
