The Archdiocese of Chicago has a award ceremony called 'Keep Hope Alive.' It is their main initiative for fundraising and support of humanitarian issues.
In September, it was announced that Cardinal Cupich would honor Senator Richard Durbin for his work and career in immigration-related matters with a lifetime achievement award.
This decision sparked controversy among American Catholics, including bishops, due to pro-abortion legislation from this Illinois senator.
Some prelates even publicly stated that Durbin was not suitable for such recognition, or that the award would confuse the faithful regarding the Church’s social doctrine, which rejects the practice of abortion.
This controversy even reached the Holy See. At Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo was asked by the press about his position. The first thing the pontiff noted was that he was not familiar with the case, and he added the following.
POPE LEO XIV
I understand the difficulty and the tensions, but I think as I myself have spoken in the past, it's important to look at many issues that are related to what is the teaching of the church. Someone who says I'm against abortion but says I'm in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life. So someone who says that I'm against abortion, but I'm in agreement with the inhumane treatment of immigrants who are in the United States. I don't know if that's pro-life. So they're very complex issues. I don't know if anyone has all the truth on them, but I would ask first and foremost that there be greater respect for one another.
Cardinal Cupich reiterated during this time that the award focused solely on the senator’s contribution to immigration reform.
CARDINAL CUPICH
It’s important to make clear that it would be wrong to interpret decisions related to the ‘Keep Hope Alive’ event as a softening of our stance on abortion. We firmly uphold what the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly teaches.
However, a few hours after Pope Leo's comments, the senator himself decided to decline the award to which Cardinal Cupich said he was saddened by, but respected the decision.
In any case, for the cardinal and several bishops, the matter is not closed. In a statement, Cupich said the controversy has served as an opportunity to reiterate the need for synodal meetings so that the Church can participate in respectful listening and debate on these matters.
CTR/CA
