Prominent Catholic leaders have urged the Archdiocese of Chicago to reconsider honoring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin later this fall.
Durbin is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his support to immigrants at an annual fundraiser hosted by Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich, according to the archdiocese’s website.
Illinois’ senior senator will receive the award at St. Ignatius College Prep on Nov. 3. The benefit and celebration supports the Archdiocese of Chicago’s local Immigration Ministry and National Pastoral Migratoria.
Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki released a statement saying he is “shocked” by the award because Durbin has long supported abortion rights. Paprocki specifically mentioned Durbin’s opposition to “legislation to protect children who survive failed abortions.”
He is likely referring to a bill dubbed the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” which would require that doctors care for a newborn baby who survived an abortion the same way they care for other newborns. If doctors failed to give medical care to a living baby, they would face criminal penalties. Durbin and the other Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee spoke out against the bill in January, saying its goal was to target and intimidate reproductive health care providers and it was offering a “dangerous solution to a problem that simply does not exist.”
“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,” Paprocki said in a statement.
When asked to respond to Paprocki’s comments, Durbin said he does not have much communication with the Springfield bishop. Durbin said he and his family have been actively involved at their Chicago parish for almost 20 years.
“My personal feelings on the subject (of abortion) are one thing, and I would discourage any woman in my family from considering that option, but they have to make the ultimate decision. When it comes to public policy, the opportunity for that decision should always be there,” Durbin added.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco posted a statement on the social media platform X echoing Paprocki’s statement.
“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,” Cordileone said on X.
Paprocki went on to say that Durbin has been barred from receiving Holy Communion in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois since 2004.
“This 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. I urge Cardinal Cupich to reconsider this action for the sake of clarity, unity, and fidelity to the Gospel of Life,” Paprocki said.
Cupich released a statement in response, explaining that the award is meant to recognize 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.”
“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,” Cupich added.
The group Illinois Right to Life said it has received emails and text messages from Catholics who are upset by the award. The organization plans to peacefully protest outside St. Ignatius College Prep on the night of the fundraiser.
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