Chicago cardinal sparks controversy by honoring abortion-access donor at gala for future priests
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich plans to honour billionaire donor Michael Sacks at a gala raising money for the education of future priests, prompting criticism over Sacks’s support for abortion-access organisations. The dispute highlights tension between the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion and Cupich’s argument that the award recognises Sacks’s community leadership and Jewish identity, not all his views.
The Sacks Family Foundation reportedly gave Planned Parenthood of Illinois $500,000 between 2020 and 2022, while Sacks and his wife gave $600,000 to the Prairie State Access Fund. Cupich says a new Nostra Aetate Award recognises interreligious relationships and can honour people with differing moral or political views. Critics cite Church guidance against giving awards or platforms to people whose actions defy fundamental moral principles; last year, Senator Dick Durbin declined a planned honour from Cupich after similar objections.
In short
- Cupich plans to honour donor Michael Sacks at a seminary fundraising gala.
- Sacks-linked giving to abortion-access groups has drawn criticism.
- Cupich says the award recognises community leadership and interfaith relations.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Cupich’s case is that the award recognises Sacks’s community leadership and contribution to interreligious relationships, particularly his Jewish identity, rather than endorsing every position he holds. Honouring people across moral and political disagreements can support dialogue and acknowledge their contributions without implying agreement on abortion.
The case against
Critics argue that a Church-sponsored award at a gala for future priests may reasonably be read as public recognition by the Church, even if its stated purpose is interreligious engagement. Given Sacks’s reported financial support for abortion-access organisations and the Church’s teaching on abortion, they believe the honour risks appearing to legitimise actions that conflict with fundamental Catholic moral principles.