When it comes to aligning actions with deeply held beliefs, things can sometimes get complicated — especially for large organizations like Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Recently, this well-known charitable arm of the Catholic Church has drawn scrutiny for working with a lobbying firm that openly supports pro-abortion political candidates.
This relationship has sparked debate about whether Catholic Charities might be indirectly cooperating with causes that contradict its core teachings.
The Lobbying Firm Behind the Scenes
Since 2022, Catholic Charities of Chicago has hired Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, a major national lobbying firm, to advocate on its behalf before the Illinois state government.
This firm isn’t small potatoes — with offices in cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, it plays a significant role in political circles.
Here’s where it gets tricky: Public records show Cozen O’Connor has donated thousands of dollars to pro-choice political action committees in Illinois.
For example, in 2024 alone, the firm gave $3,500 to Personal PAC, a political action committee that backs pro-abortion candidates at the state and local levels.
Additionally, employees of the firm have made personal donations to the same cause.
The firm also supports politicians known for their pro-abortion stance, including Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
Catholic Charities’ Silence on the Matter
Despite these connections, neither Catholic Charities, the Archdiocese of Chicago, nor Cozen O’Connor have publicly commented on this arrangement.
Interestingly, the lobbyist assigned to Catholic Charities’ account, Patrick G. Martin, is a member of the Catholic Charities Mercy Society and part of its government advisory committee.
Public records suggest Martin himself doesn’t engage in pro-abortion lobbying.
Catholic Charities’ Background and Importance
It’s important to remember that Catholic Charities of Chicago is no small player.
Serving more than 2 million Catholics in a city known as the birthplace of Pope Leo XIII, the organization manages a $180 million budget and employs over 1,200 people.
Their work supports vulnerable children, families, and immigrants across the region.
Understanding Cooperation With Evil in Catholic Teaching
This situation raises serious moral questions grounded in Catholic theology.
The Church teaches that human life is sacred from conception to natural death.
So, does working with a lobbying firm that supports abortion count as cooperating with evil?
Catholic moral theology makes distinctions here.
There’s “formal cooperation,” meaning intentionally participating in an immoral act, which is always wrong.
Then there’s “material cooperation,” where someone might be involved without intending the evil itself.
Material cooperation can be immediate (closely tied to the evil act and not permissible) or mediate (more indirect and sometimes allowable if a greater good is served).
Experts Weigh In on the Moral Question
John Rziha, a professor of moral theology, explained that Catholic Charities’ connection with Cozen O’Connor is likely “remote mediate material cooperation” because they don’t directly fund abortion but are indirectly linked through the lobbying firm.
He believes the cooperation level is low, meaning the charitable organization might justify this if the good they do outweighs the connection to evil.
Still, Rziha admits there’s a question of whether this kind of relationship could undermine Catholic Charities’ mission by contributing to a culture at odds with Church teaching.
When Cooperation Might Be Morally Permissible
Another expert, John Grabowski, a moral theology professor at Catholic University of America, suggests that sometimes cooperation with evil can be morally permissible if there’s a serious reason.
In this case, he points to the political landscape — Illinois is controlled by Democrats, so Catholic Charities might have chosen Cozen O’Connor because they believe the firm can be more effective in lobbying state officials.
The Risk of Scandal and Public Perception
Rziha also highlights a related concern — scandal.
This isn’t just about direct wrongdoing but about whether Catholic Charities’ association with this firm might confuse or mislead the public, damaging the Church’s witness.
He says if the situation is causing scandal, Catholic Charities should publicly explain their reasons and affirm their pro-life stance.
Doing so would show that, while they work with this firm, they remain committed to opposing abortion and supporting women within the Church’s teachings.
Voices from the Pro-Life Community
Mary Kate Zander, president of Illinois Right to Life, has urged Catholic Charities to be more careful in their choice of partners.
She recalled a past personal assurance from the charity’s CEO about their commitment to life issues but says actions speak louder than words.
She emphasized that serving pregnant women in need means Catholic Charities should avoid any involvement that could promote abortion in the state.
A Complex Moral and Practical Balance
This story shows the difficult balance Catholic Charities must strike: navigating political realities while staying true to their moral mission.
While engaging a powerful lobbying firm might be practical for influencing legislation, it also comes with risks that need careful thought and transparency.