Has Pope Leo blotted his copybook over ‘Cupichgate’ with his equivalency on abortion?

“Cardinal Bernardin argued that all life issues – abortion, euthanasia, war, poverty, capital punishment, racism – are connected. Just as the garment of Christ was seamless, so too should be the Church’s commitment to life and human dignity in every form. Of course they are connected but they do not share the same equivalence.”

OCTOBER 4, 2025

Gavin Ashenden

Stage two has arrived in our “How-Catholic-is-the-Pope?” quest. First we had the interview with Crux and now we have “Cupichgate”.

Pope Leo was asked about Cardinal Cupich’s award to the pro-abortionist Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat representing Illinois. In fact Senator Durbin has since refused the award but we are left with the papal commentary on the strategy.

Ten US bishops had protested against the award. Others were expected to follow, but the spotlight has moved onto Pope Leo himself and his commentary. 

It looks as though a pattern may be emerging. And if so, the pattern is that the bottom line each time is that Church teaching is not going to change under this Pope.

We can be grateful that in both interviews he could not have made it more clear that Catholic Church teaching remains inviolable. 

But it is in the meandering theological – and political – commentary that precedes the conclusion that we discover difficulties. 

I would like to be positive. I would like to love my Pope. I want to avoid being castigated as a so-called “pope-splainer". So to be clear: I am still slightly dizzy with relief that we no longer suffer what amounted to full-scale vertigo during confusion generated over Church teaching that we experienced formerly (under Pope Francis). 

But in this analysis of Pope Leo, I am going to have to be critical. There is much to be critical of.

The essence of being a Catholic is that Church teaching does not change. So does it matter that a pope may be mistaken in some of this theological critique? It’s not ideal, but it is not the same as undermining the Magisterium. Different remarks in different contexts bear different weight. 

So let’s begin with the thorny and provocative issue of context. Pope Francis had a habit of talking to reporters informally with occasionally truly dreadful consequences. The worst of which was “Who am I to judge?”. 

Edward Feser, the Catholic philosopher, made the point well. He articulated what most of us have thought which is that it’s not a very good idea for the Pope to think on his feet when he’s confronted with reporters asking him questions. At least, that it’s not a good idea when the issue is a matter of dogmatic importance. And I think we can say that here it is literally a matter of life and death, certainly if you’re a newly conceived child. 

It would be helpful if the Pope would take great care in what he says informally to journalists. All of us can and do mis-speak. Often we find ourselves saying things infelicitously under the pressure of ad hoc remarks and public scrutiny.

But what did the Pope tell us that was problematic regarding “Cupichgate”?

More: https://thecatholicherald.com/article/has-the-pope-blotted-his-copybook-over-cupichgate-with-his-equivalency-on-abortion