Pope Leo may have just sparked the first major controversy of his young papacy.
Leo, who was sworn in as pope earlier this year following the death of Pope Francis, was recently asked to weigh in on plans by the Chicago Archdiocese to bestow a lifetime achievement award on Senator Dick Durbin, a member of the church, for his work on immigration policy.
The proposed award has caused a firestorm of controversy amongst some Catholic faithful due to Durbin's pro-choice views. Critics say that the Church should not be celebrating a politician with a long history of supporting abortion rights.
Now Pope Leo has waded into the debate – and his comments are making major waves.
Should Catholics Celebrate a Pro-Choice Voice?
A number of high profile Catholic leaders voiced their opposition to the proposal after it was announced.
Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, called the idea of awarding a pro-choice senator a lifetime achievement award “untenable.”
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois had even harsher words. “Honoring a public figure who has actively worked to expand and entrench the right to end innocent human life in the womb undermines the very concept of human dignity and solidarity that the award purports to uphold,” he stated.
As the campaign against the effort mounted, more than 40,000 Catholics signed a petition opposing giving Durbin the award.
Pope Leo Weighs In
"I think it’s important to look at the overall work that a senator has done during, if I’m not mistaken, in 40 years of service in the United States Senate,” Leo said when asked by outlet EWTN News on awarding Senator Durbin. “I understand the difficulty and the tensions. But I think as I myself have spoken in the past, it’s important to look at many issues that are related to the teachings of the Church."
Leo emphasized that the award was strictly tied to Durbin’s contributions to immigration reform, not his other policy positions. At the same time, the pontiff urged Catholics not to view any politician’s legacy solely through the lens of a single issue.
“I understand the difficulty and the tensions,” the pontiff explained. “But I think as I myself have spoken in the past, it’s important to look at many issues that are related to the teachings of the Church.”
Perhaps most pointedly, Pope Leo took aim at what he sees as inconsistencies within the broader “pro-life” movement, holding up a mirror to critics.
“Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life,” he said. “Someone who says I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro-life.”
This line of logic is often used by opponents of the pro-life movement, so many were surprised to see Pope Leo echo it publicly.
Durbin Bows to Pressure
Yet even the pope's words couldn't prevent the controversy from reaching a boiling point.
With pressure mounting, Durbin ultimately withdrew his name from contention for the award. The senator noted that "because the reaction has been so controversial against the Cardinal who proposed it... I see no point in going forward with that.”
The incident illustrates how the Catholic Church continues to face practical questions on the issue of abortion, even as the official position remains unchanged.
What do you think? Was Pope Leo right to call for a broader definition of “pro-life,” or should the Church refuse to honor any politician who supports abortion rights, regardless of their work in other areas?
Is this a step toward a more holistic vision of Catholic social teaching, or a dangerous compromise on core moral principles?
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