The Rev. Pfleger has been embarrassing himself locally for years. And check out Jill Stanek (who has picketed Pfleger’s church for hosting the Rev. Al Sharpton at the church) to see a rundown of Pfleger’s litany of ridiculous comments including one public comment to his bishop: “I am not quitting…You are going to have to have the balls to fire me.” That’s nice from a priest, isn’t it?
Chicago Sun-Times religion reporter Mike Thomas asked Cardinal Francis George’s office for a reaction to Pfleger’s recent explosion, and his spokeswoman, Colleen Dolan said, ”The cardinal has made it clear to Father Pfleger in the past on more than one occasion that it’s inappropriate to speak about political issues from the pulpit and that his own personal opinions are his own personal opinions.”
Wow! How about that for a strongly worded statement?
Pfleger is a strong supporter of Louis Farrakhan and has been described as a “spiritual adviser” to Obama. He also publicly threatened the life of a Chicago businessman saying that he should be “snuffed out.” And, according to the Wall Street Journal, Pfleger “is known for climbing ladders to deface liquor billboards.” He also said recently that “America is the greatest sin against God.”
This guy is a lunatic. The Church needs to “snuff him out.” Not literally.
June 2, 2008 at 6:22 pm
pfleger should be canned. at least take him away from his diocese.
June 2, 2008 at 6:57 pm
“That’s nice from a priest, isn’t it?”
Yeah, and what if he did fire him? Then he’d have to find a replacement. If the guy can do a valid Mass and administer the sacraments with some measure of competence, that’s better than NOT having such a guy. When you’re a bishop in this country, in this day and age, and you’re desperate, that’s what “desperate” looks like.
I remember when Francis George was made Archbishop of Chicago years ago. I said to someone, “He’d better bring a few people with him for an inner circle, or the people already there will eat him alive!” I’ve been right the whole time, haven’t I?
I don’t think George will be successful, and I think he knows this. Meanwhile, he can quietly encourage a new generation of priests who love Christ and His Church. Then the next guy can be successful.
It won’t get any better than that.
June 2, 2008 at 7:40 pm
In response to d. Alexander. An errant priest is deadly to the spiritual lives of the flock. Better he should go than have an entire parish lost because of his obstinate behavior. The second point, about encouraging a new generation, seems to be under way. Lastly, Fr. Pfleger has his reward – he has drawn attention to himself (versus drawing people to Christ) and ignored a condition of his vocation: obedience to his Ordinary. The “Sunshine Policy” hasn’t worked. It’s time for a little gunboat diplomacy.
June 2, 2008 at 7:51 pm
“In response to d. Alexander. An errant priest is deadly to the spiritual lives of the flock.”
What can I say, you’re right. In reading my original response, I wasn’t sufficiently clear. The saying goes, that “the drowning man will grab even the point of a sword.” I’m looking at this from the angle of someone who is desperate. (Yeah, I used that last word already, didn’t I?) Also, if he fires this priest, that’s one more parish he might have to close. So there’s pressure on him to choose his battles.
I don’t agree with how he handles things either, but the scenario in Chicago is how I see it, and the Cardinal’s losing battle is why I see him doing things (or not doing things) as he does.
June 2, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Does this priest answer to anyone here or hereafter.
Who’s in charge? Somebody(but as usual, nobody)needs to can this guy.
What a disgrace, both he and the Church. No wonder most of the Bishops probably rank with used(pre-owned)car salesmen
June 3, 2008 at 2:13 am
The Pfleger situation is quite complicated. Of course, the man is a loon. But he has a loyal following and has set up many community services which do much genuine good in a desolate part of Chicago. As the Archbishop, you have to ask yourself if a few idiotic comments are worth a possible schism, with thousands leaving the Church, leaving a wound on the Church of Chicago. Or do you wait it out and see if times change and situations burn themselves out. Cardinal George prefers the latter method. I heard him say that his method for bridging the divide in other places has been steadily and constantly chugging along and teaching the truth. He said this has worked in other places, but not in Chicago, which he called the most polarized diocese in the country. This being said, perhaps it is time for him to take his remaining few years as archbishop and make some stronger moves.
June 5, 2008 at 2:52 am
I don’t know the situation there in Chicago other than what I’ve seen in the national press, but it seems to me that those who would be willing to follow Pfleger into schism probably are not too big on Church teaching anyway.
I think when Cardinal George doesn’t discipline people like Pfleger, it makes the Church look desperate or weak. If the rules of the Church are ignored by the priests, how can you expect the people to do the same?
-Rich