Cardinal Ignores Catholic Pro-Life Teachings, Gives Award to Abortion Activist
National | Steven Ertelt | Oct 30, 2026 | 8:12AM | Washington, DC
The highest official in the Catholic Church in Illinois gave an award to a radical abortion activist who has literally funded the deaths of unborn babies.
Meanwhile, outside the swanky fundraising dinner where the award was given, pro-life advocates protested and called the Catholic leader to follow the Catholic Church’s pro-life teachings and Biblical values instead.
Cardinal Blase Cupich took part in a high-profile fundraiser for Mundelein Seminary days before Election Day that honored Michael Sacks, a major donor to abortion causes.
The opposition is based on Sacks giving over $1 million to groups that kill babies in abortions or facilitate abortions.
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Illinois Right to Life has pointed to records showing approximately $1.1 million in support from Sacks for abortion-related causes since 2020, including $500,000 from the Sacks Family Foundation to Planned Parenthood of Illinois between 2020 and 2022 and a $600,000 contribution toward an initiative that benefited Planned Parenthood of Illinois and the Chicago Abortion Fund.
Sacks has also supported groups that work to elect candidates who favor abortion.
An eyewitness inside the event reported the presence of many pro-abortion Democrats including Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, former Chicago Mayors Rahm Emanuel and Richard M. Daley, former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Michael 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 pointed to instructions reportedly given to Chicago priests that week. Cardinal Cupich told them that under no circumstances should they take a side in the upcoming election and directed them to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ voting guidance.
Yet the cardinal participated in the fundraiser attended by some of Illinois’ most powerful pro-abortion Democrat leaders.
Their attendance does not itself constitute a political endorsement, Zander noted, but the contrast raises a question: Why does Cardinal Cupich insist upon political neutrality from his priests while hosting an event for Mundelein Seminary filled with prominent pro-abortion politicians and donors?
In his remarks, Cardinal Cupich invoked Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the Catholic Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions. He argued that honoring individuals who disagree with Catholic teaching does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of their positions.
Cupich defended the award, saying it affirms the Church’s relationship with non-Christian communities, particularly Judaism, and does not endorse Sacks’ specific political or moral positions. He said refusing to honor someone solely because of conflicting views can risk patterns of exclusion.
Zander said that explanation fails to address the central concern.
“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,” she stated.
Illinois Right to Life said it can respect Michael Sacks and unequivocally reject antisemitism while still objecting to the Archdiocese of Chicago honoring someone who has been an ardent financial supporter of abortion at a very high level.
“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.”
Cardinal Cupich also spoke of the Church’s commitment to human dignity and the common good. Zander asked how that commitment can be reconciled with honoring someone who has contributed $1.1 million to abortion in the past six years alone.
Longtime Catholic commentator and pro-life advocate Matt Abbott told LifeNews that he thinks Cupich’s attitude on the award is not shared by fellow Catholic Church 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 is also speaking out and said the objection rests solely on Sacks’ funding of abortion.
“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 noted that in 1988, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, together with Scheidler’s late father Joe Scheidler, buried 2,033 aborted children at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Cardinal Francis George later joined pro-life prayers at the site. Cupich has not accepted invitations to do the same, Scheidler said.
“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.”
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.”
ACTION: Contact the Archdiocese of Chicago main office at 312-534-8200. Email: archchicago@archchicago.org
