Pro-abortion IL Governor Pat Quinn
On Thursday, November 17, pro-abortion Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will present an award at a fundraising lunch for pro-abortion lobbying group Personal PAC and the Pro-Life Action League will be there to protest with graphic images showing the reality of abortion. Get all the details on the protest here.
We protested this very event last year, but the Governor’s actions are making it even more imperative this year. Check out a video of that protest here.
We at the League were outraged, if not surprised, when we heard that Quinn, a cradle Catholic, would be lending his support to Personal PAC, an organization whose stated mission is “electing pro-choice candidates to state and local office in Illinois.” It would, perhaps, be more surprising had Quinn not received nearly $500,000 in support from Personal PAC during his run for Governor last year.
Illinois Bishops Take Quinn to Task
The reaction of Illinois’ Catholic bishops to the news has sparked nationwide interest, as all of the state’s bishops, led by Francis Cardinal George, released a statement decrying Quinn’s action, saying, “With this action, Gov. Quinn has gone beyond a political alignment with those supporting the legal right to kill children in their mother’s wombs to rewarding those deemed most successful in this terrible work.”
Shockingly, Quinn seemed completely unfazed by the bishops’ calling out his sin and calling him to repentance. When asked about it, Quinn said:
I am going to the event to present an award to a woman who was a victim of rape and who is a very strong advocate of helping rape victims all over our state [and] our country. I really feel that’s a proper, Christian thing to do to honor someone who’s doing someone that helps the community at large.
You read that right. Supporting an organization whose sole purpose is electing candidates who will advance the abortion industry’s agenda is “a proper, Christian thing to do.”
Quinn’s Motive: Political Self-Interest
While it’s been clear for years that Quinn has no regard whatsoever for what is the proper, Christian thing to do, it’s quite another thing to hear him state outright that he has absolutely no clue about what it means to be a Catholic.
Further thickening the plot is the fact that the rape victim whom Quinn will be honoring was featured in a Personal PAC ad during last year’s election that some say swayed the vote and gave Quinn the victory over pro-life candidate Bill Brady. The political self-interest in Quinn’s motives is as plain as day.
The Illinois Catholic Conference responded to Quinn’s blatant insubordination saying,
Governor Quinn’s statement today that he is recognizing a rape victim for her advocacy work dodges the issue. Our hearts go out to any victim of rape, one of the most personally violent crimes against women. He is presenting an award—titled the Pro-Choice Leadership Award—at an event hosted by Personal PAC, an organization that describes itself as a ‘political action committee (PAC) dedicated to electing pro-choice candidates to state and local office in Illinois.’ This action is irreconcilable with any honest profession of the Catholic faith, and it is what prompted the Bishops’ statement.
We here at the League are grateful to have such courageous and God-loving bishops in our home state who are willing to stand up against politicians like Quinn, whose support for abortion and disobedience are a great cause for scandal both in and outside the Church.
Thank Our Courageous Bishops!
Join us at the protest on the 17th if you can, and please reach out to thank our bishops even if you’re not from Illinois. They need to know that we support them when they take this kind of action. Their contact information is listed below:
- His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, Archdiocese of Chicago: 312-534-8230 or via e-mail
- Most Reverend Bishop Thomas Doran, Diocese of Rockford: 815-399-4300 or e-mail via secretary Rev. John Fritz
- Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., Diocese of Peoria: 309-671-1550 or e-mail via secretary Cheryl Berkshier
- Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Diocese of Belleville: 618-277-8181
- Most Reverend Thomas J. Paprocki, Diocese of Springfield: 217-698-8500 ext. 102 or e-mail via secretary Cheryl Kannall
- Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon, Diocese of Joliet: 815-722-6606 or e-mail assistant Doug Delaney
