Senate Leader’s Pro-Abortion Stance Sparks Catholic Backlash

By Frank Pavone
Friday, 03 October 2025 11:30 AM EDT

When Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., delivers his farewell speech to the U.S. Senate at the end of 2026, his legacy will be defined by a career marked by conflicting priorities. Elected to the House in 1982 and the Senate in 1996, Durbin is known for advocating for issues like airline smoking bans, immigrant rights, and Amtrak funding. However, his record on abortion has drawn sharp criticism from pro-life advocates.

Durbin opposed legislation aimed at protecting infants from partial-birth abortions and dismemberment procedures. He also rejected a bill requiring life-saving care for newborns who survive abortions, dismissing it as an attack on reproductive healthcare providers. Additionally, he voted against criminalizing harm to unborn children during other crimes. Critics argue these actions reflect a disregard for the most vulnerable members of society.

The senator’s stance has further strained his relationship with the Catholic Church, which prioritizes the protection of life. Despite this, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich initially planned to honor Durbin with a lifetime achievement award at a November fundraiser. The decision faced immediate backlash, prompting several bishops to publicly condemn it. Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., noted that Durbin had been barred from receiving communion in his diocese due to his abortion advocacy. San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and Nebraska Bishop James Conley also expressed concerns about the potential scandal.

Cardinal Cupich’s statement was criticized as dismissive of the moral implications of honoring a politician who actively supports abortion. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops previously warned against recognizing those who defy core moral principles, stating such actions undermine religious teachings. Durbin’s legislative efforts to expand access to abortion have been condemned as incompatible with Catholic values and public service.

Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, urged followers to challenge the Church’s tolerance of politicians like Durbin. He emphasized that supporting abortion rights violates fundamental human dignity and called for greater clarity on the Democratic Party’s pro-abortion policies.

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