Cardinal Cupich and "unity," a match made in heaven?
The cardinal of Cook and Lake counties has the word among his favorites.
⦁ 2024 Democratic National Convention: He opened the DNC with a prayer for national unity, calling Americans to “reweave the fabric of America” with “life, freedom, justice, and unbound hope.”
Inspiring, right? But . . . he didn’t touch the DNC’s abortion platform with a ten-foot pole. Some, like ⦁ Phil Lawler at Catholic Culture, pointed out this “unity” felt more like a wink to progressive allies than a genuine bridge across divides. Coercion? Maybe . . . it’s unity, but only if you play along with the party line.
Again:
⦁ Post-2020 Election Statement: After Biden’s win, Cupich urged Americans to ditch “partisan concerns” for the sake of the common good, praising democratic participation. Unity as a healing balm sounds great . . . until you notice it papers over fault lines like religious liberty or abortion policy. It’s less a call to dialogue and more a subtle prod: get with the program, or you’re the problem. That’s “unity” with a velvet glove.
And:
⦁ Immigration Advocacy (2024): Speaking at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cupich framed a “nation united in solidarity” as the moral stance on immigration, spotlighting compassion for migrants. Noble cause, sure. But the undertone? Unity means signing onto his policy vision—think opposition to mass deportations—without much space for counterarguments like border security. Disagree? Then you’re fracturing the unity he’s so fond of. It’s a rhetorical stick dressed up as an olive branch.
So?
Cupich’s “unity” isn’t just a recurring theme. It’s his power move. In each context, he spins it to align with his goals, whether that’s cozying up to political agendas or pushing a singular vision of civic life. Opposition gets cast as disunity, a sin against the collective good he’s defined. Sound familiar? It’s the same playbook he’s used in liturgical battles, like the TLM crackdown—unity as both shield and sword. He doesn’t just like the word; he wields it like a maestro, coaxing, or strong-arming, everyone into the his key. (and everyone else out)
His Eminence needs a copy editor.