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Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who has long supported abortion rights, declined a planned "Lifetime Achievement Award" from Cardinal Blase Cupich , Archbishop of Chicago, after backlash from Catholic bishops and lay leaders.

"Senator Durbin today informed me that he has decided not to receive an award at our Keep Hope Alive celebration," Cupich said in a Tuesday statement . "While I am saddened by this news, I respect his decision. But I want to make clear that the decision to present him an award was specifically in recognition of his singular contribution to immigration reform and his unwavering support of immigrants, which is so needed in our day."

Durbin’s backing down from receiving the award came following a Catho

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