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, he will conclude a lengthy career in Congress. Elected to the House in 1982 and the Senate in 1996, Durbin’s legacy may include efforts to ban cigarette smoking on airplanes, advocacy for immigrants, or increased funding for Amtrak. However, his most enduring mark may be his unwavering support for the abortion industry.
Durbin consistently opposed measures to protect unborn children, voting against legislation to prohibit partial-birth and dismemberment abortions. He also rejected a bill requiring life-saving care for infants who survive abortions, claiming it “targets reproductive healthcare providers.” Additionally, he blocked efforts to make harming an unborn child during another crime a federal offense.
The senator’s disregard for the most vulnerable Americans extends to his Catholic faith, as defending the unborn is a central tenet of Church teaching. Despite this, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich initially planned to honor Durbin with a lifetime achievement award at a November fundraiser. Public backlash forced Durbin to decline the recognition, following criticism from several bishops.
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., noted that Durbin had been barred from receiving communion in his diocese due to his abortion advocacy. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco and Bishop James Conley of Nebraska also voiced concerns, emphasizing the scandal caused by honoring a pro-abortion politician. Cardinal Cupich’s decision was met with outrage for downplaying the moral implications of Durbin’s actions.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has long warned against honoring those who defy Church teachings on abortion. Durbin’s legislative efforts to advance abortion rights directly contradict these principles, undermining public service and human dignity. The Democratic Party’s embrace of abortion as a policy priority further cements its rejection of basic moral values.
Frank Pavone is an anti-abortion leader and national director of Priests for Life.
