Father John Lovell, of the Diocese of Rockford and National Mission Director of Unprofitable Servants, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer to weigh in on the recent controversy surrounding Cardinal Blase Cupich and the Archdiocese of Chicago. The debate centered on a now-withdrawn plan to honor Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, a Catholic politician whose record on abortion and other issues has long clashed with Church teaching.
Cardinal Cupich initially defended the move, arguing that no Catholic public official fully reflects the breadth of Catholic social teaching due to the nation’s party system. But pushback was swift, with several bishops and Catholic leaders publicly objecting. Father Lovell called the episode a case of “the flock rebuking the cloth,” noting that ten bishops signed statements urging against the award and that Senator Durbin has been barred from receiving Communion in his home diocese because of his pro-abortion stance.
Lovell also rejected claims that Durbin’s positions on immigration align with Catholic teaching, pointing to papal documents affirming the right of nations to secure borders and protect children from trafficking. He argued that abortion remains the “preeminent moral issue of our time,” not one issue among many, as some Church leaders suggest under the so-called “seamless garment” approach to social teaching.
The conversation turned to broader questions of politics, faith, and public safety in Chicago. Lovell criticized Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church for blaming violence in the city on former President Donald Trump, countering that crime and unrest on the South Side have been decades in the making. He suggested that many residents welcome stronger policing and security, even if federal support is controversial among city leaders.
Framing the discussion in biblical terms, Lovell argued that boundaries and borders are consistent with Christian teaching, while peace — locally and globally — must remain the ultimate goal. He praised Trump for pursuing peace both at home and abroad, while stressing that Catholics and other Christians must anchor their politics and daily lives in biblical values.