Group Objects to Catholic Award Honoring Chicago Businessman; Cardinal Cupich Stands by Decision (Chicago, Illinois)

Chicago businessman and Democratic donor Michael Sacks is set to receive a Catholic honor from Cardinal Blase Cupich this week, a recognition that has drawn opposition from Illinois Right to Life. The award, known as Nostra Aetate, is named after a 60-year-old Catholic doctrine that addresses the Roman Catholic Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions.

The decision has drawn criticism from Illinois Right to Life, an anti-abortion rights group, which launched an online petition urging the cardinal to rescind the award. The organization previously mounted a similar campaign against U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Mary Kate Zander, president of Illinois Right to Life, objected to honoring Sacks because of his donations to abortion rights and LGBTQ organizations. She said, “This is an individual who clearly does not share the convictions of the Catholic Church, that’s very very obvious.”

Cardinal Cupich responded to the criticism in a written statement, saying, “Refusing to honor or engage with Jews solely because they hold conflicting religious or political positions can risk mimicking historic patterns of antisemitism through exclusion and bigotry, which, frighteningly, is on the rise.”

Steve Millies, a professor at Catholic Theological Union, explained that the purpose of Nostra Aetate is to encourage dialogue with those of different faiths and beliefs rather than to seek agreement on every issue. He said, “It’s in the spirit of the award to give it to someone like Michael Sacks. It would seem strange, very strange indeed, if we said someone could not receive a Nostra Aetate award simply because he doesn’t believe what Catholics believe.”

In a written statement, a spokesperson for Sacks said, “Mr. Sacks is honored to receive the award and believes the Cardinal’s statement speaks for itself.”

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