Chicago Archdiocese Faces Backlash Over Planned Immigration Award for Pro-Abortion US Senator

Cardinal Blase Cupich announced the Archdiocese of Chicago will present Sen. Dick Durbin a Lifetime Achievement Award on Nov. 3 for his immigration work at an event supporting the archdiocese’s Immigration Ministry and National Pastoral Migratoria. The decision drew sharp criticism from Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield—Durbin’s local bishop—who said he was “shocked” and warned the honor risks causing “grave scandal” by appearing to contradict Church teaching because Durbin has long supported legal abortion and opposed legislation such as the born‑alive bill. Other prelates, including Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and Bishop David Ricken, joined Paprocki in urging Cupich to reconsider or retract the award, arguing that advocacy for immigrants should not obscure the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life. Cupich defended the recognition, saying Catholic teaching on life and dignity cannot be reduced to a single issue and that Durbin’s work for immigrants merits acknowledgment amid heightened enforcement. The dispute revives a longstanding tension between U.S. bishops and Catholic politicians who support abortion rights and comes as Durbin, 80, has announced he will not seek reelection.