Dec. 10--Cardinal Francis George will receive the rarely bestowed Medal of Merit, the city of Chicago's highest honor, at Wednesday's City Council meeting, officials said.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel will present George with the medal -- which has previously heralded people involved in the capture of Saddam Hussein and efforts to free U.S. servicemen from captivity -- after the recently retired archbishop gives the invocation.
"Renowned for his charity and compassion, Cardinal George has worked selflessly to ensure that people of every race, creed, and social and ethnic background enjoy equal rights and opportunities, while continuing to uphold fundamental Catholic principles," the resolution marking the award reads. "Cardinal George has more than surpassed his humble desire to be remembered as 'a good bishop,' and the people of the City of Chicago owe him a profound debt of gratitude for his tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for all people."
George stepped down Nov. 18 and was replaced by Archbishop Blase Cupich after a 17-year tenure as the leader of Chicago's 2 million-plus Catholics. George was appointed the eighth archbishop of Chicago in 1997 by Pope John Paul II.
The council resolution praises George as someone able to find consensus on controversial issues and for his help in shaping the liturgical direction of the church through his service to a number of organizations, including as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Emanuel will be presenting the award Wednesday for the first time, city spokeswoman Kelley Quinn said Tuesday. Cardinal George is then expected to address the council, she said.
Past recipients of the medal include James Hickey, a Chicagoan honored in 2004 for his role as an Army officer in the capture of Saddam Hussein. In 1999, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. James Meeks and then-U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich received the medal for their efforts to free three U.S. servicemen being held captive by the former Yugoslavia.
mmrodriguez@tribune.com
