Cardinal Cupich responds to criticism over Archdiocese of Chicago’s plan to give pro-abortion senator an award

Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, issued a statement Sept. 22 responding to concerns raised over the archdiocese’s plan to present an award to ardently pro-abortion U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

“Recently some have criticized the decision of the Archdiocese of Chicago to recognize Senator Dick Durbin at our annual fundraiser for our immigration ministry, Keep Hope Alive,” Cardinal Cupich, who is hosting the event, said in the Sept. 22 statement. 

CatholicVote previously reported that the archdiocese intends to present Durbin with the Lifetime Achievement Award “for support to immigrants” at the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity Immigration Ministry event Nov. 3. 

“Senator Durbin informed me some years ago that he has taken up residence in Chicago, registered in a parish of the archdiocese and considers me to be his bishop,” Cardinal Cupich continued. “Accordingly, I have remained faithful to the May 2021 instructions of the then-Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, advising bishops to ‘reach out to and engage in dialogue with Catholic politicians within their jurisdictions … as a means of understanding the nature of their positions and their comprehension of Catholic teaching.’”

“At the heart of the consistent ethic of life is the recognition that Catholic teaching on life and dignity cannot be reduced to a single issue, even an issue as important as abortion,” he said. “The annual celebration of immigrants, Keep Hope Alive, will recognize all the critically important contributions Senator Durbin has taken to advance Catholic social teaching in the areas of immigration, the care of the poor, Laudato Si', and world peace.”

Cardinal Cupich concluded: “The recognition of his defense of immigrants at this moment, when they are subjected to terror and harm, is not something to be regretted, but a reflection that the Lord stands profoundly with both immigrants who are in danger and those who work to protect them.” 

Just days ago, two U.S. bishops publicly urged Cardinal Cupich to rescind the plan to present Durbin with the award, as CatholicVote previously reported. 

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield said Sept. 19 that he “was shocked” when he found out about the plan. 

“Given Senator Durbin’s long and consistent record of supporting legal abortion — including opposing legislation to protect children who survive failed abortions — this decision risks causing grave scandal, confusing the faithful about the Church’s unequivocal teaching on the sanctity of human life,” Bishop Paprocki wrote. “Honoring a public figure who has actively worked to expand and entrench the right to end innocent human life in the womb undermines the very concept of human dignity and solidarity that the award purports to uphold.”

He said the decision to honor Durbin “not only contradicts the Church’s moral doctrine but also sows confusion about the seriousness of abortion and the integrity of Catholic witness in public life.” 

Two days later, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco issued a statement on X backing Bishop Paprocki’s call for Cardinal Cupich to rescind the plan. 

“Bishop Paprocki is correct that both clarity and unity are at risk,” Archbishop Cordileone said. “I hope this will be a clarion call to all members of the Body of Christ to speak out to make clear the grave evil that is the taking of innocent human life.”