Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Chicago cardinal suspends Obama spiritual advisor Father Pfleger

Father Michael Pfleger, who has been the pastor of Chicago's St. Sabina Church for thirty years--fewer than ten years is standard--has been suspended by Cardinal Francis George.

A longtime media gadfly, George became nationally known in 2008 hen he mocked Hillary Clinton--who was at that time in a tight battle with President Obama for the Democratic nomination for president. From the pulpit of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright's church, he sarcastically whined, "This is mine. I'm Bill's wife. I'm white, and this is mine. I just gotta get up and step into the plate.' Then out of nowhere came, 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama,' and she said, 'Oh, damn! Where did you come from? I'm white! I'm entitled! There's a black man stealing my show!'" Then Pfleger pretended to wipe tears from his eyes.



In 2004, Obama listed Pfleger as one of his three spiritual advsiors.

George has been trying to convince Pfleger to become principal of Leo, a South Side Catholic high school--but the priest has resisted the pressure.

Now the cardinal has finally got rid of the meddlesome priest. At least for now.

UPDATE 5:55pm:

The Chicago Tribune has more:

Citing what he called threats from the Rev. Michael Pfleger to leave the church, Cardinal Francis George has removed the outspoken priest from St. Sabina parish and has suspended his "sacramental faculties as a priest."

Pfleger had publicly feuded with the cardinal about possibly being reassigned to Leo High School, telling a radio show recently that he would look outside the Catholic church if offered no other choice.

"If that is truly your attitude, you have already left the Catholic Church and are therefore not able to pastor a Catholic parish," George wrote in a letter dated today.

"A Catholic priest's inner life is governed by his promises, motivated by faith and love, to live chastely as a celibate man and to obey his bishop," the cardinal continued. "Breaking either promise destroys his vocation and wounds the Church.
Wow.

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2 comments:

  1. Ginger9:29 PM

    Hey, I think you meant to say Michael instead of George in your post when describing who Pfleger is. Thanks for the info.

    ginger at IOTW

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  2. Anonymous11:49 PM

    Finally the Catholic Church is getting some leadership that has a backbone. As soon as they throw this bum out, they should withhold the Holy Eucharist from Pro-Abortion catholics. Then start flogging all pedophile priests, all those in the media, academia, gov't and the penal system who enable them and then get the good word out!

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