Catholics Undermining the Pro-Life Message

The 40 Days for Life movement has two periods of the year (in the fall and again during Lent) where we “crank up” our efforts to help the unborn.  But two recent occurrences may put a damper on this year’s Lenten effort.

The Church teaches that abortion is a grave sin. As such it is a priority concern and not just ‘one of many equivalent issues.’  It is simply not on par with social justice issues like immigration and the environment. But the actions of Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago and the administrative leaders of Notre Dame suggest otherwise.

Words matter. Messages matter. Actions matter. The words, messages and actions of  Archbishop Cupich and the administrative leaders of Notre Dame in recent months sent a false message that the Catholic Church is not really serious about protecting the unborn. It’s a message that some are interpreting as the Church is willing to accommodate to the world and its values.

Some Background

Overturning Roe v Wade with the Dobbs decision was a step forward but legal restrictions can only set a framework. As I commented on in a past post, the pro-life mission must focus on changing the hearts and minds of others. That’s where the “rubber meets the road” for building a culture of life.

Over the years, the Catholic Church has been the leading advocate for the unborn and has carried the pro-life cause throughout the world. For example, the Knights of Columbus have been at the forefront for pro-life efforts for decades. Their message is that being Catholic is means being pro-life. Over the years, I have seen the effects of that Catholic messaging change hearts and minds.

In that context, the messaging put out by the Catholic Church from its leaders: the hierarchy, the parish clergy, its educators. its theologians, its modern saints (specifically Mother Teresa and John Paul II) and its laity has been consistent and hopeful.

But Cupich and Notre Dame have undercut these pro-life efforts.

The Durbin message

Archbishop Cupich’s attempt at recognizing Democratic Senator Dick Durbin with a lifetime achievement award this past fall caused considerable concern. Cupich’s attempt said, in effect, that a well-known pro-abortion supporter (Durbin) is not accountable for his political actions. The message was that promoting the taking of innocent lives is okay as long as you support other causes such as migration and the environment.

But recognizing and celebrating a pro-abortion politician like Durbin is not a good idea.  It is a relativism message “on parade. ” It undercuts Church teaching on moral absolutes and messaging to change hearts and minds.

Many of the American hierarchy expressed concern over Cupich’s actions.  Among them were Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki (Durbin’s home diocese), San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, and Archbishop Emeritus of Kansas City Joseph Naumann (former USCCB chair for pro-life).

As a result of all the ‘bruhaha” Senator Durbin withdrew from getting the award. But the whole affair raised questions about Archbishop Cupich. Was it just an oversite or is it an example of Cupich embracing the progressive theological mentality that Church teachings and priorities should be relative to the needs of the times?

Regardless, the effect of Cupich’s actions suggest to some that abortion is just one of many Church concerns and that actively supporting abortion (by one’s legislative actions) is acceptable. Whether that was the intent or just a consequence I cannot judge. However, the result is that it is not going to help change hearts and minds. Already people have said to me that the Church isn’t that serious about pro-life and will eventually become pro-choice.

The Ostermann message

Susan Ostermann, an out spoken advocate of abortion and a critic of pro-life efforts,  was recently selected by administrators of Notre Dame to be the director of the University’s Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies.

Over the years she has supported abortion with such claims that it is “freedom-enhancing in the truest sense of the word” and “consistent with integral human development.” She also contends that “white supremacy and racism” are behind pro-life efforts.  She views pregnancy help centers as “as anti-abortion rights propaganda.” In addition, she collaborates with the Population Council, an organization that advocates for population control through actions such as abortion.

Notre Dame is the most visible Catholic university in the world.  Decisions made by its leaders are quickly known across the globe. So what does this decision communicate? The message is that abortion is okay and that pro-life efforts are questionable and suspect.

The leadership of Notre dame should be caretakers of both academic achievement and the faith. They should have been aware of Ostermann’s views.  And their reluctance to rescind her appointment after well thought out appeals from the University’s home Diocese Bishop Rhodes, the President of the USCCB, Archbishop Coakley and many other high profile clergy, such as Archbishop Cordileone and Bishop Barron, speaks volumes.

Beyond the clergy response has been that of Notre Dame pro-life student groups, faculty resignations from the Liu Institute, and school advocates and donors all “shaking their collective heads” at the decision. But vocal disagreements with the decision can only do so much. Notre Dame needs stronger leadership.

The university should have rescinded Ostermann’s appointment and fired the administrators who made the appointment. In a fortuitous turn of events, however,  Ostermann herself decided to turn down the appointment.

The world watches, Catholics watch, pro-lifers watch and many who are considering abortion are watching what comes out of Notre Dame (not just football). As such, its leaders have an obligation to make decisions and pronouncements in light of our faith beliefs. As with the Durbin affair, Notre Dame’s actions fed into a faulty perception that the Church isn’t serious or supportive of our pro-life efforts.

Messaging’s effect on the hearts and minds

Over the years, it is estimated that the 40 Days for Life endeavors have saved 26,000 babies. That was due to the silent modeling vigils outside abortion clinics, prayers, sidewalk counseling and support of hundreds of pregnancy resource centers. All of these efforts declare a consistent message on the sanctity of life.

Only consistently proclaiming the pro-life message will change hearts and minds. That’s the conversion that saved all those babies. Any message or action by any member of the Catholic Church that goes against the pro-life message and efforts downgrades and reduces the possibility of that conversion.

I consider the actions of Archbishop Cupich and the Notre Dame leadership a betrayal of Catholic teaching on life. Personally, I also consider it a betrayal of the 40 Days for Life pro-life efforts.

The Christian warrior in me wants to shake a fist and demand retractions and apologies. However, the realist in me doubts that would matter until they experience a change. Consequently, I pray that Archbishop Cupich and the leaders of Note Dame have that conversion of heart and mind.

“ Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,   for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25).