Cardinal DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, was born in 1949. He retired and was replaced by his coadjutor, named by Francis, in 2025.
Cardinal Dolan, of New York, was born in 1950. He was replaced by Leo XIV very shortly after turning 75, in 2025.
There is one Cardinal who is older than both of them, and who is still in charge. And not just any cardinal: a horrible administrator, a lousy shepherd, and an ideological nightmare, who, though a native of Nebraska, has been the Archbishop of the pope's own birthplace: Chicago. A formerly exemplary American Catholic town, whose diocese is falling apart.
One would think this useless bishop of nefarious influence would have been retired immediately. But Francis knew his presence irked his imagined "enemies" in America, so he kept him. With Leo XIV, it's different. He knows he's lousy. He is aware. Why has he kept him?... Our contributor Serre Verweij tries to understand it.
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Why Is Cupich Still in Office?
by Serre Verweijfor Rorate Caeli
