CBS 2 News has learned that Francis Cardinal George is temporarily removing Father Michael Pfleger from his position as pastor of St. Sabina Roman Catholic Church on Chicago’s South Side.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports the move comes after several days of deliberation and consultation by the Cardinal, who first learned about Pfleger’s racially charged comments about senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton from the pulpit of Trinity Unity Church of Christ last Thursday night.
The Cardinal immediately contacted Pfleger who agreed not to refer to the presidential candidates by name, but as CBS 2 reported at the time, there remained the possibility of some further disciplinary action against Pfleger.
The Cardinal reportedly spoke to Pfleger again Tuesday morning.
The sad thing is that neither the priest nor his congregation seem to find his words or actions in any way racist.
I also have to question the judgment of anyone who would cite Rev. Wright and Fr. Pfleger as spiritual mentors, who would sit twenty years in a pew and listen as this hatred and venom was spewed forth, and who would allow their children to be exposed to this as their religious education.
RSB
The man is a disgrace to the priesthood. I dare say, even the most peace and justice oriented liberal reappraiser priest in the Episcopal Church would never behave in such a vulgar, crass and distateful manner. Furthermore, the man represents a worldview shared by an ever increasing minority of radical activist nuns, priests, brothers and laity who consider themselves American Catholics. Those with any doubts about these claims should go here: http://www.futurechurch.org/links.htm
and here: http://www.lcwr.org/
I think I might be a prophet. I bet my wife two things last week: (1) The Cardinal will take action against Pfleger by the end of this week, (got that one right) and (2) He’ll be an Episcopal priest by Christmas. Any takers on the bet? DK
That’s a good bet.
First, the left wing in the American Catholic Church isn’t increasing. Voice of the Faithful is, to a large degree the same people as FutureChurch, We are Church, Womenpriests, and so on, and they are an aged crowd. VOTF has already peaked, and are admitting to financial problems.
As for Fr. Pfleger, two weeks vacation is hardly the rack and iron maiden. Perhaps we should address him as “Rev. Pfleger”, since that seems the practice of the parish… excuse me…. “Faith Community”.
I think that odds are at least slightly more in favor of Mr Pfleger’s joining the Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imani_Temple_African-American_Catholic_Congregation
No Todd, I think David is right. TEC and 815 will push hard to get this guy on their team. He certainly has the ego and the politics to go high in the TEC establishment. They’ll be looking soon for some “Affirming Catholic” bishops soon for places like Fort Worth and Quincy, this guy should be a shoe-in! He and Jim McGreevey should be perfect for the future of TEC!