Two Catholic bishops have openly criticized the Chicago Cardinal’s intention to grant a lifetime achievement award to Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, who is known for his pro-abortion stance.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, the leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago, plans to honor Durbin on November 3rd with the “Maintain Hope” award. Durbin, who identifies as Catholic, has been a long-time supporter of abortion rights and has even voted against laws that would protect infants born after failed abortions.
“Given Senator Durbin’s consistent support for legal abortion, including his opposition to laws protecting newborns, this decision poses a serious risk of causing scandal and confusion regarding the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life,” commented one bishop on September 19th.
The bishop further stated, “To celebrate public figures who actively support the right to terminate innocent life in the womb undermines the very essence of human dignity and solidarity that this award aims to promote.”
Since 2004, Durbin has been restricted from receiving Communion in Springfield because of his views on abortion.
“This decision not only contradicts the Church’s moral teachings but also compounds the confusion surrounding the gravity of abortion and the credibility of Catholic representatives in public life,” Paprocki explained. “I urge Cardinal Cupich to rethink this decision to uphold the message of life in a clear and unified way.”
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco has also weighed in, expressing solidarity with Bishop Paprocki and urging Cardinal Cupich to reconsider the award, pointing out Durbin’s long history of supporting abortion rights.
Neither Durbin nor Cardinal Cupich’s office has provided comments in response to inquiries regarding the matter.
