Cardenal Cupich defends decision to honor Senator Proborto in event in favor of immigration

The Chicago Archbishop (United States), Cardinal Blase Cupich, has defended his decision to honor Senator Democrat Probort of Illinois Richard Durbin with an award in the next fundraising of funds from the Archdiocesan Ministry of Immigration Keep Hope Alive.

“Recently, some have criticized the decision of the Chicago Archdiocese of recognizing Senator Dick Durbin in our annual collection for our immigration ministry,” Cupich wrote in a September 22 statementpublished after several bishops were manifested against the decision.

“Senator Durbin informed me some years ago that he had established his residence in Chicago, registered in a parishioner of the Archdiocese, and that he considers me his bishop,” said Cupich. “Consequently, I have remained faithful to the instructions of May 2021 of the then congregation for the doctrine of faith, which advised the bishops’ to approach and establish dialogue with Catholic politicians within their jurisdictions … as a means to understand the nature of their positions and their understanding of Catholic teaching.”

Durbin is prohibited September 23 article In the Journal First Things, entitled Senator Durbin is not suitable for receiving any Catholic tributeBishop Springfield, Illinois, Mons. Thomas Paprocki, wrote that he was “impacted” when he learned of the Chicago Archdiocese plan of honoring Durbin with an award to the trajectory.

“Because this decision threatens to scandalize the faithful and hurt the ties of ecclesial communion, it should be reversed,” he said, pointing out that the history of voting in favor of Durbin’s abortion includes efforts to block legislation that prohibits abortions after birth and protections for babies that survive failed abortion attempts.

In the light of Durbin’s history, Paprocki said: “It is absurd to be awarded a prize of the ‘Human and Solidarity Dignity Office.”

Paprocki pointed out that awarding Durbin Viola Church teaching And contradicts What American bishops have said On the subject, as well as the policies of the Chicago Archdiocese themselves on tributes and awards, which establish: “Any Catholic entity subject to the authority of the Chicago archbishop… should not award prizes or tributes or organize presentations, opportunities to speak or appearances of people or organizations whose public position is in opposition to the fundamental moral principles of the Catholic Church”.

The Bishop of Springfield also said that Cupich “did not consulted me about this award did not even notify me about his decision,” although Durbin remains under his pastoral care as Springfield resident.

“This lack of consultation with a Bishop brother about a member of his diocese is even more worrying given the fact that Cardinal Cupich knows that Senator Durbin has not been allowed to receive the Holy Communion in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois since 2004,” added Paprocki.

In response to Monday’s criticisms around his decision, Cupich said: “In the heart of life consistent ethics is the recognition that Catholic teaching about life and dignity cannot be reduced to a single issue, not even to such an important issue as abortion.”

Cupich emphasized that Durbin would be honored for his efforts to promote Catholic social doctrine in immigration, care of the poor, Laudato yes and world peace.

“The recognition of their defense of immigrants at this time, when they are being subjected to terror and damage, is not something that should regret, but a reflection that the Lord is deeply with immigrants in danger and with whom they work to protect them,” said Cupich.

In an X publication, the Archbishop of San Francisco, Mons. Salvatore Cordileone, expressed his solidarity with Papocki and urged Cupich to “reconsider” award for Durbin a prize for the trajectory, “given his long history of support for legal abortion”.

Cordileone described Paprocki as “the bishop of Senator Dick Durbin” and said that “he is right to say that both clarity and unit are at risk” by giving Durbin the prize.

“I hope this is a clear call to all members of the body of Christ to speak and make clear the serious evil that is to take the life of innocent human beings,” Cordileone added.

Lincoln’s bishop, Nebraska, Mons. James Conley, he said In an X post On Tuesday afternoon that he was “shocked and baffled” when he learned about Cupich’s decision to reward Durbin, saying that the actions of the senator with respect to abortion are “against the fundamental moral principles of the Catholic Church.”

“The public history of the senator has been consistently probort and has opposed any protection or safeguard for children not born in the uterus, even to the point of rejecting legislation to protect children who survive failed abortions,” he wrote Conley.

He also said that “there is still time to reconsider the decision.” “I pray for the good of the Church so that this award is not granted to Senator Durbin and the scandal that will probably cause among the faithful is avoided.”

When responding to the last statement from Cupich, in an email to CNA – Ewtn News – Illinois Right to Life president, Mary Kate Zander, cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church, that affirms: “Formal cooperation for an abortion constitutes a serious offense. The Church sanctions with canonical penalty of excommunication this crime against human life.”

“The murder of the helpless child in the belly is a serious moral evil,” Zander told CNA. “The apparent indifference of Cardinal Cupich to this reality is scandalous in every sense of the word. His ambiguity raises great risk to all people who can be affected by the lack of clarity in this matter.”

According to Zander, Durbin’s history in immigration “simply does not matter while refusing to recognize that it is a bad murder an unborn child.” In addition, he said that Durbin’s support for abortion, especially to partial abortion, puts his soul “at serious risk.”

“Our organization will proceed with our protest and we intend to work with local, state and national provident organizations to contribute clarity to this highly scandalous event,” he added. “Do not be mistaken: the Lord always extends his infinite mercy to those who seek it, but our hope is that no one is confused by Cardinal’s actions: abortion is a very serious sin.”

Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.