In an official statement issued by the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, responded to the growing criticisms for his decision to award a recognition to Democratic Senator Dick Durbin during the annual Keep Hope Alive event, a fundraising effort for the community’s immigration ministry.
The measure has sparked controversy due to Durbin’s public record in favor of abortion and the LGBT agenda, in apparent contradiction with the archdiocese’s official policy that prohibits honoring figures opposed to the Church’s fundamental moral principles —and who has moreover been excommunicated since 2018—.
The controversy over the recognition to Durbin
Bishops such as Salvatore Cordileone (San Francisco) and Thomas Paprocki (Springfield) asked Cupich to cancel the tribute, reminding that CatholicVote gave the senator an «F» rating in its most recent report for his consistent support of initiatives contrary to life and family.
Cupich’s official statement
In the statement dated September 22, 2025, Cupich publicly defended his decision. He recalled that Senator Durbin lives in Chicago, is enrolled in a local parish, and recognizes him as his bishop. «Accordingly, I have remained faithful to the May 2021 instructions from the then Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, advising bishops to approach and dialogue with Catholic politicians within their jurisdictions,» he explained.
The cardinal insisted that Catholic teaching on life and dignity «cannot be reduced to a single issue, even one as important as abortion,» and justified the award by pointing out that Durbin has contributed in areas such as immigration, care for the poor, the environment (Laudato Si’), and world peace. «The recognition of his defense of immigrants at this time is not something to regret, but a reflection that the Lord is deeply with those in danger and with those who work to protect them,» he stated.
Contradiction with the archdiocese’s norms
However, as clarified by the media outlet Complicit Clergy, the decision clashes with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s own normative manual, which clearly states that:
«no Catholic entity under the authority of the archbishop may award awards, honors, or presentations to individuals or organizations whose public position is in opposition to the fundamental moral principles of the Catholic Church.»
For his critics, Cupich is once again applying the so-called «seamless garment» theory of Cardinal Bernardin, which dilutes the centrality of the defense of life against abortion in a broader set of social causes.
Reactions in the Church and among the faithful
Reactions on social media have been mostly negative, accusing Cupich of honoring a politician who has repeatedly voted against life and family. Bishops and laity —including Msgr. Cordileone and Msgr. Paprocki— warned that this type of gesture generates confusion among the faithful and weakens the credibility of the Church in the United States.
The Keep Hope Alive event remains scheduled for November, although the controversy has placed Cardinal Cupich’s leadership and his alignment with progressive sectors within the Church at the center of the debate, in open tension with the traditional defense of life and Catholic doctrine.