Action Alert: National Rosary Rally in DC
Join pro-lifers in Washington, DC, on Sunday, October 5th at 2pm ET for The National Eucharistic Procession, National Rosary Rally, and Rosary Coast to Coast.
Visit Rosary Coast to Coast to find a livestream of the event and also for the NATIONAL MAP where you can register your local rosary event or find a rosary event near you.
You can also view a short information video on the event here.
We hope to see you in Washington, DC!
Week in Review
Bishops Speak Out against Cardinal Cupich’s Decision to ‘Award’ Pro-Abortion Politician
As of September 25, 2025, seven US Catholic bishops have publicly criticized Cardinal Blase Cupich’s decision to present a “Lifetime Achievement Award” to pro-abortion senator Dick Durbin at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s “Keep Hope Alive” immigration fundraiser on November 3, 2025.
Cupich claims the award recognizes Durbin’s work on immigration and other social issues, but fellow Catholic bishops have pointed to Durbin’s longstanding support for legal abortion, including opposition to bills protecting infants born alive after failed abortions and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.
This stance has led to Durbin being barred from receiving Holy Communion in his home diocese of Springfield, Illinois, since 2004 under Canon 915 for “obstinate persistence in manifest grave sin.” The bishops’ objections cite USCCB guidelines from 2004, which state that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles,” such as opposition to abortion, as well as the Archdiocese of Chicago’s own policy prohibiting awards to those whose public positions oppose core Church teachings. They argue that the decision sows confusion, causes scandal, and undermines the Church’s pro-life witness.
Earlier this week, Judie Brown raised alarm at the decision and the scandal it would cause the Church. She called on American Life League supporters to contact the cardinal’s office and respectfully express concern for the decision. It was reported to American Life League that following the call from Judie, an email address to a representative for Cupich had been disabled, likely due to the influx of emails expressing concern for the decision.
Listen to what these bishops have said about Cupich’s decision:
Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki, Springfield, IL (Durbin’s home diocese): “Given Senator Durbin’s long and consistent record of supporting legal abortion . . . this decision risks causing grave scandal, confusing the faithful about the Church’s unequivocal teaching on the sanctity of human life.”
Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone, San Francisco, CA: “Bishop Paprocki is correct that both clarity and unity are at risk. I hope this will be a clarion call to all members of the Body of Christ to speak out to make clear the grave evil that is the taking of innocent human life.”
Most Rev. James Conley, Lincoln, NE, wrote that giving the award “goes against the fundamental moral principles of the Catholic Church.” He continued, “It seems to me there is still time to reconsider this decision. I pray for the good of the Church this award is not given to Senator Durbin and the scandal it will likely cause the faithful is avoided.”
Most Rev. David Ricken, Green Bay, WI: “The Archdiocese of Chicago’s plan to give @SenatorDurbin a Catholic ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ is untenable. Works of justice & protecting life are not mutually exclusive but must be inclusive. Abortion violates ‘Thou shalt not kill.’”
Most Rev. James Wall, Gallup, NM, expressed his support for Paprocki and quoted Evangelium Vitae saying, “Man’s life comes from God; it is his gift, his image and imprint, a sharing in his breath of life. God therefore is the sole Lord of this life: Man cannot do with it as he wills.”
Most Rev. Joseph Strickland (Emeritus), Tyler, TX: “I join Archbishop Cordileone in supporting Bishop Paprocki and urging Cardinal Cupich to reverse his decision regarding Senator Durbin. I also commend Bishop Paprocki for caring for the senator’s soul and barring him from receiving Communion.”
Bishop Michael F. Olson, Ft. Worth, TX: “At every Mass we ask the Lord Jesus for the gifts of peace and unity in his Church, and at this time of strife and division, Cardinal Cupich could promote peace and unity by withdrawing the invitation to Senator Durbin.”
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Announces a Pause on Abortions
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced late Wednesday that it will temporarily stop scheduling abortions at its facilities starting October 1. Currently, the affiliate oversees the killing of preborn children at three of its 20 facilities. Two offer both pill and surgical abortions (Wisconsin law allows abortions up to 20 weeks gestation), and one commits only pill abortions. Telehealth abortions aren’t available at any of PPWI’s facilities.
The organization pointed to the recent Medicaid defunding as the reason for the suspension but said it plans to resume abortion services as soon as possible. PPWI CEO Tanya Atkinson said it will be “pursuing every available option—through the courts, through operations, and civic engagement,” to continue with abortions.
Sadly, the affiliate shared that it is committing as many abortions as it can before the end of the month. It will also refer mothers to other abortionists in the state after pausing its killing services.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is the first affiliate to stop killing preborn babies, but we hope and pray that it isn’t the last. As reported in our most recent Wednesday STOPP Report, Planned Parenthood Federation of America allegedly considered allowing its affiliates to stop committing abortions so they could requalify for Medicaid reimbursements under the One Big Beautiful Bill. When asked about the rumor, however, PPFA doubled down on its commitment to preborn child killing, saying, “There will never be a world in which Planned Parenthood walks away from providing abortion care.”
Well, it seems there is such a world, and praise God, we’re living in it.
Planned Parenthood is in trouble, but pro-lifers can’t accept this victory and abandon the fight. We must defund the abortion giant permanently to save more babies from its greed, and we must do so without exception.
ALL in the News
Susan Ciancio, editor of Celebrate Life Magazine and director of the Culture of Life Studies Program, wrote about a new film released today. Called Bau, Artist at War, this film depicts the true story of a concentration camp survivor who risked his life to save others. The article was published by Catholic World Report. She also penned an article announcing CLSP’s 2025 Pro-Life Essay Contest. The article was featured in Today’s Catholic Homeschooling and in Catholic365. For more information about the essay contest, visit prolifeessay.com.
The Rhode Island Catholic featured CLSP’s Pro-Life Essay Contest in an article, as did the Catholic Review.
ALL national director Katie Brown Xavios regularly posts updates about American Life League and its important work on social media channels X and LinkedIn. Follow her accounts to stay up to date.
Twice a week, Judie’s commentaries are distributed to an expansive media list. The list contains over 100 media outlets such as Fox News, The Federalist, Breitbart, and The Daily Caller, among others. Judie’s commentaries are each featured on the front page of ALL.org.
Pro-Life Education
Culture of Life Studies Program
St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Small Deeds, Big Love: On SALE to celebrate her feast day October 1, this lesson for 1st and 2nd graders discusses St. Thérèse’s Little Way and offers concrete examples for how your kids can take action now to stand up for others so they can grow in faith and love. These important concepts help build that pro-life foundation that kids need so that, as they grow, they also grow in understanding about the value of the preborn, those with disabilities, the elderly, and anyone else whom society deems unworthy of life. ORDER HERE
ALL’s Education Materials
Pro-Abortion Catholics Prayer Card: This beautiful card featuring our Lord holding the Eucharist contains a powerful prayer for the conversion of all so-called “pro-abortion Catholics” in public office. We pray that they will immediately stop support for all forms of abortion and infanticide and that they will respect the sanctity of the Holy Eucharist by not receiving Holy Communion until they have reconciled themselves with God and amended their lives to never again act or speak in defense of these grave sins. SHOP NOW
Pro-Life Social Media
‘No One Should Be Honored,’ Archbishop Lays Down the Hammer on Chicago Archdiocese Awarding Pro-Abort Dick Durbin
St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, “It is the highest duty of religion to imitate Him who you adore.” A reductive version of this sentiment asks, “What Would Jesus Do?” Cardinal Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago likely didn’t ask himself this question when announcing a lifetime achievement award for pro-abort Dick Durbin.
Durbin professes to be Catholic. There’s no justification for a Catholic prelate to grant awards to individuals like Durbin who advocate for and defend the mass-scale slaughter of preborn human beings. Fortunately, a few good bishops took to social media to set the record straight and teach the truth: Honoring pro-aborts is unreasonable, uncharitable, and scandalous.
Imagine this: a prominent member of the U.S. Senate has a very strong record on defending the human dignity of life in the womb but also advocates for funding for Border Patrol agents to shoot people trying to enter the country illegally. Would anyone think it reasonable to… https://t.co/LXmyc3amvZ
— Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone (@ArchCordileone) September 23, 2025
. . . honor such a senator for the senator’s pro-life record on abortion? No one who advocates for the direct, intentional killing of innocent human life should be honored. Period.
The Archdiocese of Chicago’s plan to give @SenatorDurbin a Catholic “Lifetime Achievement Award” is untenable. Works of justice & protecting life are not mutually exclusive but must be inclusive. Abortion violates “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex 20:13). I join @BishopPaprocki &…
— Bishop David Ricken (@BpDavidRicken) September 24, 2025
. . . @BishopPaprocki & @ArchCordileone in urging @CardinalBCupich to retract this award. Let us together pray & act consistently for life!
I stand in solidarity with Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, in urging Cardinal Cupich to reconsider giving Senator Durbin a Lifetime Achievement Award through the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity given his long record of supporting… https://t.co/T9X5R7ai2T
— Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone (@ArchCordileone) September 21, 2025
. . . legal abortion. Bishop Paprocki, who is Senator Dick Durbin’s bishop, has expressed shock that the Archdiocese plans to honor Senator Durbin who, although a self-professed Catholic, supports access to abortion so radically that he has even opposed legislation to protect babies born after an attempted abortion. Bishop Paprocki is correct that both clarity and unity are at risk. I hope this will be a clarion call to all members of the Body of Christ to speak out to make clear the grave evil that is the taking of innocent human life.
I too was shocked and bewildered to learn of this Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. The senator’s public record has been consistently pro-abortion and he has opposed any protections or safeguards for unborn children in the womb, even to the… https://t.co/NwALOUgCJL
— James D Conley (@bishop_conley) September 23, 2025
. . . point of rejecting legislation to protect children who survive failed abortions. That goes against the fundamental moral principles of the Catholic Church. It seems to me there is still time to reconsider this decision. I pray for the good of the Church this award is not given to Senator Durbin and the scandal it will likely cause the faithful is avoided.
Faithful Catholics on X were quick to express gratitude.
Cardinal Cupich is committing a mortal sin through his actions !
— Art Kelly (@ArthurKellyJr) September 24, 2025
Yes, defending your homeland from an invader is obedience to the fourth commandment. Murdering infants in utero is a violation of the fifth. Hope this helps clear this up for you.
— Cædmon (@ca3dm0n) September 24, 2025
Thank you.
— Kristan Hawkins (@KristanHawkins) September 23, 2025
Thank you @ArchCordileone and @BishopPaprocki for your faithfulness.
— Colin Harte (@colindharte) September 21, 2025
Agree. Tolerating dissent is one thing. Celebrating it, promoting it, awarding it as some paragon of Catholicism is beyond the pale. There is no excuse for it.
— Tea Party Barbie (@laurahollis61) September 21, 2025