Catholic Bishops to Cupich: Cancel Award for Dick Durbin

Cardinal Cupich. Source: Clinton Herald

CHICAGO — Cardinal Blase Cupich’s plan to honor Senator Dick Durbin with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s “Keep Hope Alive” Benefit on November 3 has sparked outrage among Catholic leaders and pro-life advocates.

Bsp. Thomas Paprocki of Springfield and Abp. Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco condemned the decision, citing Durbin’s consistent support for abortion, including opposing laws to protect infants born alive after failed abortions.

Paprocki is the Durbin’s diocesan bishop. He called the award a “grave scandal":

Senator Durbin, who has been barred from receiving Holy Communion in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois since 2004 for his public support of abortion, should not be celebrated by the Church. This decision 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. I urge Cardinal Cupich to reconsider this action for the sake of clarity, unity, and fidelity to the Gospel of Life.

Writing on X, Cordileone concurred:

I stand in solidarity with Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, in urging Cardinal Cupich to reconsider giving Senator Durbin a Lifetime Achievement Award through the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity given his long record of supporting legal abortion.

Illinois Right to Life echoed the criticism, labeling the decision “un-Catholic” and harmful to Church unity.

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