Cardinal Blase Cupich’s invocation at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) has ignited a firestorm among Catholics, particularly from the anti-abortion community.
Many say that Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago and one of the highest ranked U.S. Catholics, missed a critical opportunity to condemn abortion, which was prominently supported by organizations like Planned Parenthood at the convention.
Joseph Strickland, a known conservative voice within the Catholic Church, removed by Pope Francis from his post as Bishop of Tyler in 2023, was among the most vocal critics, labeling the cardinal’s August 19 appearance as a “missed opportunity to call the Democratic Party back from the abyss” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
We will never have peace until we return to God and respect life. The Cardinal’s presence there is a missed opportunity to call the Democratic Party back from the abyss. https://t.co/e4cHTJ2w2Y
— Bishop J. Strickland (@BishStrickland) August 20, 2024
Cupich’s prayer, which called for unity and national responsibility, steered clear of mentioning abortion or other Catholic moral teachings at odds with the Democratic platform.
“May our nation become more fully a builder of peace in our wounded world with the courage to imagine and pursue a loving future together,” he said. “And may we as individual Americans become more fully the instruments of God’s peace.”
His avoidance of the abortion issue left many Catholics feeling betrayed. According to CatholicVote, Illinois Right to Life President Mary Kate Zander sharply criticized Cupich, noting his failure to denounce the Democratic Party’s stance on terminations.
Paolo Lucariello/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Zander said the Cardinal had “betrayed the vibrant pro-life community that he once aligned himself with in our state.”
Outside the DNC, Planned Parenthood facilitated free abortions through a mobile clinic stationed near the event. Illinois Right to Life pointed out the juxtaposition between Cupich’s presence and multiple abortions performed just that day.
Adding to the outrage was Cupich’s omission of Jesus’ name in his prayer, which instead referred to the “God of all creation” without explicitly invoking Christ.
This drew the ire of conservative Catholic journalist Phil Lawler, who wrote in Catholic Culture that “nowhere in his invocation did Cardinal Cupich offer the slightest challenge to the perverse ideology that ruled the Democratic convention.”
Bishop Strickland, no stranger to controversy, has become one of Cupich’s staunchest critics. Known for his refusal to adopt progressive stances, Strickland’s tweet expressing disappointment with Cupich’s appearance underscored the deepening divide within the Church.
Strickland is also noted for his outspoken positions on LGBTQ+ issues and abortion, often clashing with Pope Francis’ more progressive approach .
Many conservative Catholics took to social media to express their discontent.
A post on X by Catholic podcast host @sitsio compared Cupich’s prayer at the DNC unfavorably to the Republican National Convention (RNC).
“Unlike Pope Francis’ lackie Cardinal Cupich, Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki did invoke the name of Jesus Christ during his prayer at the Republican National Convention back in July.”
Newsweek has contacted the Archdiocese of Chicago via phone and email for comment.
