MyDD :: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave

Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave

by campskunk, Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 05:37:32 PM EST

The long arm of the archbishop caught up with Father Michael Pfleger today. Jake Tapper has the story:

Francis Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago, just issued the following statement about controversial Obama friend Father Michael Pfleger:

"To 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."

Hmm. Sounds like an offer the good father can't refuse. The archbishop knows he's popular with his congregants, but...

Tags: Michael Pfleger, Barack Obama (all tags)

Permalink :: 63 Comments :: Post a Comment

And the point of (none / 0)

your diary is? Are you now the new stenographer for TM or do you honestly have a point?

by gchaucer2 on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 05:39:43 PM EST

Re: And the point of (2.00 / 6)

The point is that Fr. Pfleger is an errant Roman Catholic priest and the Cardinal is making sure people understand that for the good of the Church. I am a Roman Catholic who is utterly disgusted and appalled by professed religious in particular who give the Church a bad name, and/or betray their vows, and am very glad that it's being made clear Fr. Pfleger's actions are not representative of the Church in general.

Thank you campskunk :)

by phoenixdreamz on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 05:51:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yep, you are one kind (1.50 / 4)

of Catholic -- and I'm another. You have no clue what you are talking about. This is standard reprimand and much of it is PR for narrow minded people like you. Having spent 8 years in the convent, I understand perfectly how this "punishment" works. If you think for one minute that bishop gives a shit about your type of Catholic angst over this issue, I've got news for you. The bishop is a politician at heart -- he isn't going to destroy one of the most successful parishes to satisfy the over-wrought.

Enjoy the article -- because you'll see Fr. Fleger back soon.

by gchaucer2 on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:19:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yep, you are one kind (2.00 / 3)

Assuming you can read the heart of a Cardinal of the Church you don't know and denigrating him is the height of cynicism and really over the top. I'm through with you.

Enjoy the Dark Side while you can.

by phoenixdreamz on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:32:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yep, you are one kind (none / 0)

Thank the Lord -- you are through with me.

by gchaucer2 on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:39:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yep, you are one kind (2.00 / 2)

Were you one of the nuns I used to have in gradeschool? Do you own a ruler?

by Scotch on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:27:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And the point of (2.00 / 2)

Gchauser , what are you 10? all you do is go around making obama supporters look bad. The piece he wrote is news worthy. Instead of commenting on it , you throw a hissy fit.

disgusting...

Rise / Repeat / But for god's sake don't spin!

by aliveandkickin on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:31:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wise decision (2.00 / 6)

How that sermon reflected values of Jesus or Catholicism is beyond me.

by catfish2 on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 05:43:31 PM EST

Re: Wise decision (2.00 / 2)

That sermon is to be condemned, for sure, but it in no way represents his life time of work and dedication to that parish and community. I know the good Father and hope that he truly repents for his awful commentary, and hope he is returned to St. Sabina's soon.

by pino on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 05:54:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wise decision (1.71 / 7)

sure it does, it was part of a big deal thing on white entitlement. That's offensive to everyone, but his take on it was even worse, to smear one white woman, and the congregation cheered. It was ugly. That's not Christ like, priests are not supposed to celebrate hate. I'd be very surprised if that guy got put anywhere, the pope has heard by now, he's toast, and he should be. No one earns enough from any good works or popularity to foster hate in Christ. I plan to write the pope and let him know that this kind of thing is going on and to check it out.

what a relief

by anna shane on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:09:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wise decision (1.00 / 4)

How is that letter to the Pope coming along?

I guess you wrote alot of letters to the Vatican when the priest abuse scandal broke.

Welcome to a landslide WITH white working class, latinos, women and holding on sweeties!!!

by spacemanspiff on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:18:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Troll rated (1.00 / 0)

for misuse of the term hate speech.

You diminish the suffering of its victims when you lower the bar.

by Is This Snark on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:52:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Troll rated (2.00 / 4)

I don't believe that reason is listed in the FAQs.

by Scotch on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:20:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Troll rated (2.00 / 4)

By the way, was this snark?

by Scotch on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:21:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wise decision (1.00 / 0)

The man is an icon for the underprivelegded in Chicago. His work is well documented. However he crossed a line and that needs to be addressed. I hope to see him back soon doing the good work has has done in the past.

Purity! Or else!

by ChitownDenny on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:22:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wise decision (none / 0)

There's a lot of sermons I hear in Catholic Church that are not very representative of Jesus or catholicism.

You take the good with the bad.. unlike protestant denominations, you are Catholic for life.. you can't leave, even if you want to (you are merely lapsed), so you work within the framework the best you can.

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:59:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wise decision (2.00 / 3)

You may be mistaking Catholicism for the Hotel California.

by Scotch on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:19:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wise decision (none / 0)

Oh, please, I stopped going to church about 35 years ago, and now I'm an atheist.
I stopped being catholic a long time ago.

"Who are you for? That is the wrong question. It should be who is for you?" HRC

by skohayes on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:32:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wise decision (none / 0)

You are still Catholic in the eyes of the Church. You are merely lapsed. You can never leave, even if you publicly renounce the Church.

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 09:24:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes! (2.00 / 3)

I, and many Catholics, have voice this same question over recent days. Where is the diocese in this?

Your old role is rapidly aging. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend a hand, for the times they are a changing.

by Travis Stark on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 05:43:31 PM EST

I wondered that too. (2.00 / 4)

As a Catholic American I'm generally not comfortable with the Church (or any other church for that matter) taking sides in any political contest. They can advocate on issues, but leave comments about any particular candidate or party out of it.

by professor on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:07:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I wondered that too. (2.00 / 5)

he went beyond taking sides. he celebrated hate.

what a relief

by anna shane on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:17:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 4)

Seems entirely appropriate to me. Hopefully Pfleger learns something from this. Pastors are not in the business of insulting public servants--nor, for that matter, should they make a congregant (i.e., Obama) the subject of his sermon. He needs to rethink the purpose of his work.

by DPW on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 05:53:12 PM EST

Catholic Church will not take the risk (2.00 / 2)

of losing of tax exempt status over a doofus like that guy.

by doberman pinche on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 05:55:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

While I agree that Pfleger was out of line, I'd point out that religious leaders are most DEFINITELY in the business of critiquing (tho not necessarily insulting) political leaders. The whole liberation theology movement is based on religious leaders having a strong social action voice.

Again, I'm not defending Pfleger, but upholding the principle of religious leaders having a political voice. (Think MLK, for instance.)

by PhilFR on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:13:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 4)

MLK is a great example. I could never imagine him doing what Pfleger did or when Wright did the "riding dirty" speech about Bill and Hillary.

MLK - class act.

by colebiancardi on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:14:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 5)

you mean MLK didn't exhort the people to hate? he didn't sponsor conferences on white entitlement? His congregation didn't cheer hate? You bet he didn't, this priest guy is beyond the pale, he needs to be put on a farm where his hate inspiring won't infect children. He sure got a lot of cheers from the racists in his congregation, though. Ick.

what a relief

by anna shane on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:20:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 1)

While Pfleger was definitely over the line, I think using the term "exhorting people to hate" gives a pass to those who are really much more dangerous elements in society. He was wrong, but groups like StormFront are much more dangerous imo.

by PhilFR on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:37:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 2)

so? How is that a defense, there is always something worse. He inspired hate, did you see those cheers?

what a relief

by anna shane on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:35:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 1)

I'm not mounting a defense, I'm simply saying that we need to be careful about using terms lest we lost them as labels for those things and people who are deeply and truly evil. Throw around the term "racist" too much, and it loses all meaning. Same with "inspiring hate."

by PhilFR on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 09:06:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

if you'd ever been a victim of a hate crime, I doubt you could draw that line.

what a relief

by anna shane on Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 09:23:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

That's a fair point to the extent the criticism relates to public policy, justice, etc. However, I was referring more specifically to personal insults. Perhaps, there are exceptions for those instances in which the personal insult consists in the recognition of evil character. But, in this case, it seemed liked a baseless and tacky accusation of white entitlement (Clinton may have felt a bit entitled, but I don't have any reason to believe that attitude was race-related).

by DPW on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:40:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

About Time! (2.00 / 7)

He needed to go - they did the right thing.

Donate to Hillary Now!

by alegre on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:02:10 PM EST

Good start. (2.00 / 1)

Now if they can start doing the same thing about the Roman Catholic priests and bishops across the country who want to deny the Eucharist to pro-choice politicians...

Join the Matthew 25 Network and help Democrats win the next generation of evangelicals.

by mistersite on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:15:40 PM EST

Re: Good start. (2.00 / 2)

right on.

what a relief

by anna shane on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:13:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

my question is (2.00 / 6)

why did Obama associate and elevate this guy and Wright to his campaign in the first place? Didn't he refer to Pfleger as his "moral compass"?

by Teacher1956 on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:20:18 PM EST

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 2)

Right, to get him out of the way and to help Obama. What happened to the "outspoken" Jeremiah Wright too? He has myteriously disappeared I've noticed. The disgusting thing was not so much that buffoon Pfleger but the howlers behind him high fiving each other that Pfleger "nailed it". I submit that 90% of Obama supporters agree with that priest's remarks. And you wonder why we Clinton voters are so pissed off.

by handsomegent on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:35:11 PM EST

w(REC)k list? Really? (1.16 / 6)

A diary from serial t'rater campskunk makes the list.

Enjoy your last few hours of smearing fun.

Welcome to a landslide WITH white working class, latinos, women and holding on sweeties!!!

by spacemanspiff on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:37:48 PM EST

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

It's over...
Let's Dance...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXcZz5n5H I0

"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"

by nogo postal on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:38:37 PM EST

These people have rec'd this work. (1.00 / 6)

susanhu
Gabriele Droz
souvarine
missliberties
alegre
izarradar
ghost 2
phoenixdreamz
catfish2

Isn't Susan Hu that racist troll from NoQuarter?

Where's the whitey tape Sue? LOL! PATHETIC.

Welcome to a landslide WITH white working class, latinos, women and holding on sweeties!!!

by spacemanspiff on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:41:14 PM EST

Re: These people have rec'd this work. (none / 0)

How the hell does SusanHu still have an account or any privileges on this site?

The primaries are over!
Focus on McCain

by really not a troll on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:47:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: These people have rec'd this work. (none / 0)

Rec'ing this diary does not help Hillary Clinton.

When you start out making the "slippery slope" argument, where do you draw the line?

by Jess81 on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:50:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Who would take two children to a church (1.00 / 4)

like Trinity "United"?

We learned over the weekend that this creature Pfleger was a frequent guest speaker there. Maybe he and Jeremiah Wright could have a face-off to see who can spew more bile? It would be the greatest thing since Alien vs. Predator!

The Obma-orons can't have it both ways. Barack himself FINALLY admitted that Rev.Wright's speech was divisive and hateful.

So again: what kind of man would take two small children to listen to that kind of hate? Those two kids will need years of therapy....

by BJJ Fighter on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:45:16 PM EST

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

fer campskunk and his/her crew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeZozn33S vA

"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"

by nogo postal on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:46:47 PM EST

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

Hopefully your jitz is better than your logic.

And so, may evil beware and may good dress warmly and eat lots of fresh vegetables.

by thatpurplestuff on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:50:16 PM EST

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

And my comment was supposed to be under the comment from "BJJ Fighter".. haha.

And so, may evil beware and may good dress warmly and eat lots of fresh vegetables.

by thatpurplestuff on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:51:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

This made the rec list?

TODAY, of all days, THIS is what you think is important?

Sheesh....

Our long national nightmare is over...in 17 days!

by WashStateBlue on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:55:53 PM EST

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

In all fairness, the NoQuarter crew were the main rec'ers. They don't represent the majority of people on this site, they just game the rec list.

And so, may evil beware and may good dress warmly and eat lots of fresh vegetables.

by thatpurplestuff on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 06:58:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

My guess is that the whole purpose of gaming the diaries of this ilk is to reduce the credibility of the blog -- I think they are getting close to rock bottom now.

by gchaucer2 on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:05:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 5)

there's a lot of knowledge that's been exposed, it was a conference on 'white entitlement?" What an ugly concept. That guy should be toast, and those fools cheering behind him need some consciousness raising.

what a relief

by anna shane on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:02:33 PM EST

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (none / 0)

I think everyone condemns the speech...but people casually seem to forget that aside from Wright, and this one speech by Pfleger, TUCC actually does good in their respective community. If some of you would put aside your hatred and vitrol for Obama for 2 seconds, then you would see that.

But, your concern is duly noted.

Now, back to your normal "OMG OBAMA ASSOCIATES WITH THIS GUY???" smear diary.

Users who are excessively bashing the Democratic Party, or being Republican trolls, will be banned.

by Massadonious on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:18:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 4)

you don't know me.

what a relief

by anna shane on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:25:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Uh.. (none / 0)

Where did I say that I did?

Users who are excessively bashing the Democratic Party, or being Republican trolls, will be banned.

by Massadonious on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:30:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Diocese Puts (2.00 / 1)

Did i miss something. They gave a career award to Louie Farakhan.

david

by giusd on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:56:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Fr. Pfleger's run amuck (2.00 / 4)

So if this isn't the right time, Fr. Pfleger, please pray tell, when is?

by Scotch on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:02:58 PM EST

Re: Diocese Puts Pfleger on Leave (2.00 / 1)

Im glad the Catholic Church stepped up. Fr. Pfledger shouldn't have overstepped his boundaries. It is up to the Pope to set precendent and or set the Church's direction, not one father. As a Catholic, I've never heard of a father saying those things. My father talks about fish bowls, and the Dallas Cowboys. Im super glad I dont have a church that feels its okay to push their own political agenda.

by alyssa chaos on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 08:24:33 PM EST

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