The Archbishop of Chicago has asked Father Michael Pfleger to take a few weeks off to reflect. Kudos to the Archbishop for taking a stand.
The statement from Francis Cardinal George says that Fr. Pfleger disagreed with him on his enforced vacation but obviously the Cardinal was not taking no for an answer. Some reports out there are saying that Pfleger has been removed, as in permanently but that doesn’t seem to be the case -at least from what I’ve read.
The statement is here. As much as I like to see this happen, I can’t help but feel a little for Father Pfleger. Keep Father Pfleger in your prayers.
STATEMENT OF FRANCIS CARDINAL GEORGE, O.M.I.,
ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO
June 3, 2008To put recent events in some perspective, I have asked Father Michael Pfleger, Pastor of St. Sabina’s Parish, to step back from his obligations there and take leave for a couple of weeks from his pastoral duties, effective today. Fr. Pfleger does not believe this to be the right step at this time. While respecting his disagreement, I have nevertheless asked him to use this opportunity to reflect on his recent statements and actions in the light of the Church’s regulations for all Catholic priests. I hope that this period will also be a time away from the public spotlight and for rest and attention to family concerns.
I hope also that the life of St. Sabina’s parish may continue in uninterrupted fashion. Fr. William Vanecko, Pastor of St. Kilian’s parish, will be temporary administrator of St. Sabina’s and will assure the full complement of ministerial services during this period. I ask the members of St. Sabina’s parish to cooperate with him and to keep him and Fr. Pfleger in their prayers. They are in mine.
Pfleger was quoted as saying these are the most difficult days of his life. This from the Chicago Sun-Times:
Over the weekend, he said that the days since his Trinity address had been the most difficult of his life, even more painful than when his foster son Jarvis was gunned down near St. Sabina on May 30, 1998. I’ve spoken to Pfleger many times about Jarvis’ death and couldn’t believe he said this. It sounded like the worst kind of narcissism, and I told him so. He told me that, when Jarvis was killed, he was angry with God and didn’t understand why God had allowed it to happen. But he knew Jarvis’ death was not his fault. He hadn’t shot his foster child. The difference between that pain and this, he said, is that, essentially, he shot himself and his church.
I’m sorry. Don’t his priorities seem just a little out of whack? He feels worse about short circuiting Obama’s candidacy then his foster son getting killed? This is a man badly in need of a few weeks reflection.
June 4, 2008 at 2:28 am
Personally, I don’t think there’s a vacation long enough. The narcissism referred to in the quote is a central part of his problem, stemming from a gross, almost dysfunctional, lack of emotional maturity. Guys like this crave attention, to the point of not keeping his mouth shut after being disciplined. What makes anyone think he’ll keep his mouth shut while on vacation?
June 4, 2008 at 6:44 am
He could just be a nut with a good heart deep down.
June 4, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I think we need to pray for him. He’s obviously a man who likely doesn’t have peace in his heart. Maybe this “vacation” is exactly what he needs to get his spiritual ducks in a row.
June 4, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Perhaps you have access to sources you didn’t provide, but the excerpt says he is pained by the damage he inflicted on himself and his Church. Your final comment says his pain is based on the damage he inflicted on Obama’s campaign, and you develop that into a much more inflammatory comment. I think you are correct in calling for Christian charity here. Perhaps you could practice it more consistently in your synopses as well.