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| Don't let his face fool you |
Cardinal Blase Cupich, the highest-ranking Catholic Church official in Illinois, apparently has little difficulty finding room for abortion advocates in the Church's circle of honor. The Chicago cardinal recently bestowed an award on Michael Sacks, a wealthy donor who has poured more than $1 million into organizations that fund and facilitate the physical dismemberment, or other methods of murdering unborn children.
For a Catholic leader, the decision is appalling.
The Catholic Church has consistently taught that abortion is a grave moral evil and the direct killing of innocent human life. Yet Cupich saw fit to publicly honor a man whose financial contributions have helped sustain the abortion industry.
Outside the lavish fundraising dinner, pro-life advocates gathered to protest and call on the cardinal to uphold Catholic teaching and Biblical principles. Their message was straightforward: The Church should not be handing out honors to people who bankroll abortion.
Cardinal Cupich participated in the high-profile fundraiser for Mundelein Seminary just days before Election Day, where Sacks was recognized despite his substantial financial support for abortion causes.
Illinois Right to Life has documented approximately $1.1 million in contributions from Sacks to abortion-related causes since 2020. That includes $500,000 from the Sacks Family Foundation to Planned Parenthood of Illinois between 2020 and 2022, as well as a $600,000 contribution toward an initiative that benefited Planned Parenthood of Illinois and the Chicago Abortion Fund.
Outside the lavish fundraising dinner, pro-life advocates gathered to protest and call on the cardinal to uphold Catholic teaching and Biblical principles. Their message was straightforward: The Church should not be handing out honors to people who bankroll abortion.
Cardinal Cupich participated in the high-profile fundraiser for Mundelein Seminary just days before Election Day, where Sacks was recognized despite his substantial financial support for abortion causes.
Illinois Right to Life has documented approximately $1.1 million in contributions from Sacks to abortion-related causes since 2020. That includes $500,000 from the Sacks Family Foundation to Planned Parenthood of Illinois between 2020 and 2022, as well as a $600,000 contribution toward an initiative that benefited Planned Parenthood of Illinois and the Chicago Abortion Fund.
It's weird they call themselves Planned Parenthood, when their real plan is to not be parents.
Sacks has also supported organizations that work to elect candidates who favor killing unborn babies, some right up to conception.
The guest list only added to the spectacle. An eyewitness inside the event reported that numerous prominent pro-abortion Democrats were in attendance, including Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, former Chicago Mayors Rahm Emanuel and Richard [Dick] M. Daley, former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
Sacks acknowledged the governor and legislative leaders in his remarks, praising their work on organized labor.
Illinois Right to Life President and CEO Mary Kate Zander also highlighted a striking contradiction in the cardinal's conduct. According to Zander, Cupich had instructed Chicago priests that week that under no circumstances should they take sides in the upcoming election, directing them instead to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' voting guidance.
Sacks has also supported organizations that work to elect candidates who favor killing unborn babies, some right up to conception.
The guest list only added to the spectacle. An eyewitness inside the event reported that numerous prominent pro-abortion Democrats were in attendance, including Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, former Chicago Mayors Rahm Emanuel and Richard [Dick] M. Daley, former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
Sacks acknowledged the governor and legislative leaders in his remarks, praising their work on organized labor.
Illinois Right to Life President and CEO Mary Kate Zander also highlighted a striking contradiction in the cardinal's conduct. According to Zander, Cupich had instructed Chicago priests that week that under no circumstances should they take sides in the upcoming election, directing them instead to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' voting guidance.
What would you call a cardinal like Cupich?
Apparently, political neutrality is essential when it comes to parish priests, but less of a concern when the cardinal is presiding over a fundraiser attended by some of the state's most influential pro-abortion politicians and donors.
Zander acknowledged that the politicians' attendance did not, by itself, amount to a political endorsement. Nevertheless, she raised an entirely reasonable question: Why does Cupich demand political neutrality from his priests while participating in an event that brings together prominent politicians and a wealthy donor with an extensive record of financing abortion?
The so called cardinal attempted to defend the award by invoking Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council's declaration concerning the Catholic Church's relationship with non-Christian religions. He argued that honoring individuals who disagree with Catholic teaching does not necessarily mean endorsing their positions.
The cardinal maintained that the award recognized the Church's relationship with non-Christian communities, particularly Judaism, rather than Sacks' specific political or moral positions. He also suggested that refusing to honor someone because of conflicting views could encourage patterns of exclusion.
That defense does little to answer the fundamental objection. The issue isn't whether Sacks deserves dignity and respect as a human being. Every human being does. The issue is why a Catholic institution would publicly honor someone who has devoted substantial financial resources to an industry responsible for ending the lives of unborn children.
“Respecting a person’s dignity is not the same as publicly bestowing honors upon that person, especially if it’s unclear what they’re being honored for,” Zander stated.
Illinois Right to Life emphasized that it can respect Sacks and unequivocally reject anti-Semitism while still opposing the Archdiocese of Chicago's decision to honor a major financial supporter of abortion.
“Our history of opposing Catholic awards to pro-abortion individuals stands by itself,” Zander said. “We believe abortion grossly violates the human rights of mother and child and are disappointed that Cardinal Cupich is intentionally misdirecting from the core tenet of our statement: The Catholic Church, which has always stood against abortion, should never honor anyone who has so publicly promoted the killing of innocent life. Michael Sacks’ Jewish roots are completely irrelevant.”
Cupich also spoke about the Church's commitment to human dignity and the common good, except for that of the unborn. Zander questioned how those principles could possibly be reconciled with honoring someone who has contributed approximately $1.1 million to abortion-related causes in just six years.
Longtime Catholic commentator and pro-life advocate Matt Abbott told LifeNews that Cupich's position does not reflect the approach of other Catholic leaders.
“It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that Cardinal Cupich once again dismissed the concerns of those who peacefully protest the evil of abortion. Thankfully we have other Catholic bishops who wouldn’t give awards to politicians and wealthy donors who are pro-abortion,” he said.
Pro-Life Action League Executive Director Eric Scheidler also condemned the decision, emphasizing that the objection has nothing to do with Sacks' religious background.
“Our objection to this award is based solely on Mr. Sacks’s determined funding of abortion, which the Catholic Church calls an ‘unspeakable crime.’ It has nothing whatsoever to do with his religious affiliation,” Scheidler said. “The pro-life movement invites those of every faith to join us in defending the lives of unborn children.”
Scheidler also recalled a very different chapter in the Archdiocese of Chicago's history. In 1988, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin joined Scheidler's late father, Joe Scheidler, in burying 2,033 aborted children at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Cardinal Francis George later joined pro-life prayers at the site.
Cupich, however, has declined invitations to participate in similar prayers, according to Scheidler.
“Cardinal Cupich always seems to have time for powerful people like Mr. Sacks,” Scheidler said. “I’d like to see him take some time with the powerless, like the working-class women being pushed into abortions they don’t want at the very Planned Parenthood facilities Sacks funds.”
That criticism cuts to the heart of the controversy. Cupich has found time to honor a wealthy and influential abortion donor, but apparently has not found time to stand alongside those mourning the deaths of thousands of unborn children or women facing pressure to undergo abortions.
For a cardinal entrusted with defending Catholic doctrine, that is a deeply troubling set of priorities.
The U.S. bishops' statement “Catholics in Political Life” says Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.”
The Catholic Church has long described abortion as an “unspeakable crime.” Its teaching on the sanctity of unborn human life is not obscure, optional, or subject to the preferences of wealthy donors.
Cardinal Cupich knows what the Church teaches. He also knows what Planned Parenthood does. Yet he chose to honor someone who has helped finance its work.
At some point, the cardinal must answer a basic question: What does it say about Catholic leadership when a man who funds the abortion industry receives an award from the very Church that teaches abortion is an unspeakable crime?
Cupich's decision deserves more than polite disagreement. It deserves a serious reckoning with the responsibilities of his office and the Catholic faith he is supposed to defend.
Apparently, political neutrality is essential when it comes to parish priests, but less of a concern when the cardinal is presiding over a fundraiser attended by some of the state's most influential pro-abortion politicians and donors.
Zander acknowledged that the politicians' attendance did not, by itself, amount to a political endorsement. Nevertheless, she raised an entirely reasonable question: Why does Cupich demand political neutrality from his priests while participating in an event that brings together prominent politicians and a wealthy donor with an extensive record of financing abortion?
The so called cardinal attempted to defend the award by invoking Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council's declaration concerning the Catholic Church's relationship with non-Christian religions. He argued that honoring individuals who disagree with Catholic teaching does not necessarily mean endorsing their positions.
The cardinal maintained that the award recognized the Church's relationship with non-Christian communities, particularly Judaism, rather than Sacks' specific political or moral positions. He also suggested that refusing to honor someone because of conflicting views could encourage patterns of exclusion.
That defense does little to answer the fundamental objection. The issue isn't whether Sacks deserves dignity and respect as a human being. Every human being does. The issue is why a Catholic institution would publicly honor someone who has devoted substantial financial resources to an industry responsible for ending the lives of unborn children.
“Respecting a person’s dignity is not the same as publicly bestowing honors upon that person, especially if it’s unclear what they’re being honored for,” Zander stated.
Illinois Right to Life emphasized that it can respect Sacks and unequivocally reject anti-Semitism while still opposing the Archdiocese of Chicago's decision to honor a major financial supporter of abortion.
“Our history of opposing Catholic awards to pro-abortion individuals stands by itself,” Zander said. “We believe abortion grossly violates the human rights of mother and child and are disappointed that Cardinal Cupich is intentionally misdirecting from the core tenet of our statement: The Catholic Church, which has always stood against abortion, should never honor anyone who has so publicly promoted the killing of innocent life. Michael Sacks’ Jewish roots are completely irrelevant.”
Cupich also spoke about the Church's commitment to human dignity and the common good, except for that of the unborn. Zander questioned how those principles could possibly be reconciled with honoring someone who has contributed approximately $1.1 million to abortion-related causes in just six years.
Longtime Catholic commentator and pro-life advocate Matt Abbott told LifeNews that Cupich's position does not reflect the approach of other Catholic leaders.
“It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that Cardinal Cupich once again dismissed the concerns of those who peacefully protest the evil of abortion. Thankfully we have other Catholic bishops who wouldn’t give awards to politicians and wealthy donors who are pro-abortion,” he said.
Pro-Life Action League Executive Director Eric Scheidler also condemned the decision, emphasizing that the objection has nothing to do with Sacks' religious background.
“Our objection to this award is based solely on Mr. Sacks’s determined funding of abortion, which the Catholic Church calls an ‘unspeakable crime.’ It has nothing whatsoever to do with his religious affiliation,” Scheidler said. “The pro-life movement invites those of every faith to join us in defending the lives of unborn children.”
Scheidler also recalled a very different chapter in the Archdiocese of Chicago's history. In 1988, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin joined Scheidler's late father, Joe Scheidler, in burying 2,033 aborted children at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Cardinal Francis George later joined pro-life prayers at the site.
Cupich, however, has declined invitations to participate in similar prayers, according to Scheidler.
“Cardinal Cupich always seems to have time for powerful people like Mr. Sacks,” Scheidler said. “I’d like to see him take some time with the powerless, like the working-class women being pushed into abortions they don’t want at the very Planned Parenthood facilities Sacks funds.”
That criticism cuts to the heart of the controversy. Cupich has found time to honor a wealthy and influential abortion donor, but apparently has not found time to stand alongside those mourning the deaths of thousands of unborn children or women facing pressure to undergo abortions.
For a cardinal entrusted with defending Catholic doctrine, that is a deeply troubling set of priorities.
The U.S. bishops' statement “Catholics in Political Life” says Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.”
The Catholic Church has long described abortion as an “unspeakable crime.” Its teaching on the sanctity of unborn human life is not obscure, optional, or subject to the preferences of wealthy donors.
Cardinal Cupich knows what the Church teaches. He also knows what Planned Parenthood does. Yet he chose to honor someone who has helped finance its work.
At some point, the cardinal must answer a basic question: What does it say about Catholic leadership when a man who funds the abortion industry receives an award from the very Church that teaches abortion is an unspeakable crime?
Cupich's decision deserves more than polite disagreement. It deserves a serious reckoning with the responsibilities of his office and the Catholic faith he is supposed to defend.
What are your thoughts?
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