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# Cardinal Cupich’s Award to Sen. Durbin Sparks Pro-Life Outrage
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/85234-cardinal-cupichs-award-to-sen-durbin-sparks-pro-life-outrage/
- Published: 2025-09-19T04:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:09:55.000Z
- Description: A local pro-life activist called the decision “un-Catholic” and scandalous, urging Catholics to contact the Archdiocese to protest.
- Author: News
- Tags: #Category: News

**CHICAGO —** Cardinal Blase Cupich, head of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Chicago, is being criticized for his decision to honor pro-abortion Sen. Dick Durbin with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the “Keep Hope Alive” Benefit on November 3.

Pro-life advocates, led by Illinois Right to Life, condemn the decision as a betrayal of Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life. Durbin, a Catholic elected in 1997, has opposed key pro-life laws, including the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban and Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, while supporting the Women’s Health Protection Act.

His record led to a Communion ban by Bsp. Thomas Paprocki in 2021\. Critics, including pro-life activist Mary Kate Zander, call the award “un-Catholic” and scandalous, urging Catholics to contact the Archdiocese to protest.

Cupich’s move follows his prayer at the 2024 DNC, intensifying scrutiny of his stance on abortion.