Cardinal Cupich defends award to major Planned Parenthood donor (LifeNews.com)

Cardinal Blase Cupich defended the Archdiocese of Chicago's decision to present the Nostra Aetate Award to Michael Sacks, a donor to organizations that support abortion.

Cardinal Cupich described Sacks as a respected leader within Chicago and the Jewish community. He stated that refusing to honor or engage with Jewish people based on conflicting religious or political positions risks repeating historic patterns of antisemitism through exclusion and bigotry. He noted that such bigotry is currently increasing.

The decision stands in contrast to a 2004 statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In that statement, the conference said Catholic institutions should not provide awards, honors, or platforms to individuals who act in defiance of fundamental Catholic moral principles.