Cardinal Cupich: a Shepherd or Wolf?

Cardinal Cupich has notoriously led his flock astray with his liberal thinking. Recently, he plans to give Senator Dick Durbin, who announced that he will finish his term and retire next year, an award on behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Cupich, appointed to lead the Catholic faithful in Chicago in 2014, has constantly ignored church teachings on the sanctity of life, particularly as he chose Durbin as the recipient who has promoted genocide for the unborn in his 42 years in office. 

Durbin was first elected to Congress in 1982. Then, he served in the US Senate for Illinois in 1997, succeeding Paul Simon, and announced his retirement at the conclusion of his term in November 2026.

Since announcing Durbin as the recipient of a “Lifetime Achievement Award”, eight bishops have voiced their concerns on such a grave decision.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann, former Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas, and chairman of pro-life activities for USCCB, called Cupich’s decision a “source of scandal” to give an award to Dubin and reward him for his decades-long promotion of abortion, calling it a case of “pastoral neglect.”

“Dialogue does not require giving awards to Catholic political leaders who disregard the most fundamental of human rights, the right to life of the unborn,” he said in his statement.

Cupich has since canceled several meetings as he fears that his decision will receive hard criticism. He has been under siege for canceling the Traditional Latin Mass in his archdiocese.

Illinois Right to Life is rallying Catholics to contact the Archdiocese’s Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity Director Jose Coronel or call 312-534-8200 to voice their disapproval, urging the Church to uphold its mission to defend the vulnerable and reject complicity in abortion’s violence.

It is time to hold the Catholic clergy accountable for who they choose to honor. As Archbishop Naumann pointed out, “Ignoring the policies and recommendations of the Bishops Conference is not synodal and serves to fracture unity.”

Indeed, Cardinal Cupich has caused nothing but division in Chicago these last 11 years. May God have mercy on him as he awaits the Vatican to accept his resignation, submitted the moment he turned 75, according to canon law.

We can only pray a faithful shepherd will succeed Cupich and rectify his mistakes while humbly leading the faithful of Chicago to Christ without compromise.