Archbishop Michael McGovern, newly appointed head of the Archdiocese of Omaha, recently emphasized the unique culture that Catholicism embodies in the Windy City, suggesting that having a pope from Chicago, like the current Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, influences a deeper connection to family and parish life.
McGovern, who served as a priest in Chicago before becoming Bishop of Belleville in 2020, shared his thoughts on the importance of the Archdiocese of Chicago and its significant role in shaping the Church’s community aspects.
Reflecting on a recent meeting with children at the Vatican, McGovern recounted Pope Leo XIV’s heartfelt reminiscence about his early mornings serving Mass alongside his mother. This personal story resonated deeply with McGovern, symbolizing the closeness to Jesus and the community.
“It’s just been an incredible two months since the election of Leo XIV,” McGovern told Crux.
He also highlighted his own experiences, noting a personal connection with Leo XIV through their shared ties to the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where McGovern’s parish in Chicago has an established relationship.
As he transitions into his new role in Omaha, one of his first observations is the strong faith and generosity of the laity. He noted the valuable initiatives in marriage preparation and natural family planning being developed in the Archdiocese.
“We also had things about natural family planning out of Omaha,” McGovern remarked, highlighting the Archdiocese’s commitment to family life.
He expressed pride in the robust Catholic education system within Omaha, mentioning that the Archdiocese supports 16 Catholic high schools along with over 50 grammar schools, serving around 240,000 Catholics.
The Archbishop sees this commitment to Catholic education as a promising indicator for the future of the Church in the region.
Addressing the vocation situation, McGovern deemed it “very good,” citing the presence of 22 seminarians in various stages of study. He underscored that ordaining two priests each year would significantly bolster pastoral care across the Archdiocese.
On June 7 of this year, McGovern celebrated the ordination of three men into the priesthood and anticipates positive developments in vocations in the coming years.
Discussing marriage further, McGovern articulated the importance of preparing couples for sustained marital success. He emphasized the Church’s role in enriching marriages beyond their initial years, noting an anniversary Mass he holds each August for couples celebrating significant milestones.
Amid advancements in technology, Archbishop McGovern raised questions regarding the Church’s role in promoting ethical practices, particularly regarding artificial intelligence.
He reminisced about high school teachers’ concerns over students relying on Cliff’s Notes, drawing a parallel to contemporary challenges with AI. He stated that it’s vital for the Church to provide ethical guidance on technology use to prevent misuse.
This concern with ethics extends to health care and medicine as well, as he pointed out the rapid evolution of procedures and treatments.
In light of America’s evolving identity, McGovern called for unity within the Church, highlighting the continuing
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