Pfleger Controversy Follows Cardinal George To Rome

April 28, 2011 9:32 PM

Francis Cardinal George (CBS File Photo)

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ROME (CBS) – Chicago’s Cardinal George travels to Rome amid many unanswered questions about his suspension of Father Michael Pfleger.

His silence about the action — beyond releasing a letter to local media — will likely continue at the Vatican, where George is attending ceremonies to beatify Pope John Paul II.

George on Wednesday suspended Pfleger as pastor at St. Sabina’s, where he has led the African-American congregation for more than 30 years. The Cardinal expressed frustration at Pfleger’s ongoing public statements and his threat to potentially leave the Catholic church if he was transferred.

CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine, who is in Rome, reports that Cardinal George is expected to meet with Chicago reporters at least twice over the next four days. But a spokesman said the Cardinal will not answer any questions about the Pfleger controversy.

If that’s the case, there will undoubtedly be awkward moments every time he talks about the late Pope and what he means to Chicago’s 2.3 million Roman Catholics. John Paul II had a special relationship with Chicago, largely because of the size of the city’s Polish population.

Cardinal George in the past has always been open and accessible during his trips to Rome. The next few days, however, are probably going to be different.

Pfleger Controversy Follows Cardinal George To Rome

BRENDA

DEAR CARDINAL GEORGE,
I BELIEVE WITH MY HEART YOU MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IN REFERENCE TO FATHER PFLEGER. OUR BELOVED PRIEST WAS SENT TO ANOTHER PARISH WE ALL UNDERSTOOD AND HE LEFT GRACIOUSLY. I BELIEVE FATHER PFLEGER HAS BEEN THERE SO LONG HE HAS NOW BECOME HIS OWN BOSS,HES SHOWN MUCH DISRESPECT FOR YOU, HIS PARISH,AND GOD BY SAYING HE’LL GET HIS OWN CHURCH THATS TERRIBLE .SO LET HIM GO…THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ANTONIO@ BRENDA
Radical Catholic

whai in gods name is wrong with people? You make these comments as if you know this priest, or the members of this parish. Have you ever been to St. Sabina? Have you ever had a conversation with someone from this parish? I am sure this is not the case? Why are people so wrong minded? Cardinal George CLEARLY STATED that his decision was based on “frustration caused by comments that Fr Pfleger made. How is that God directed? That is petty and a personal attack. How could it be viewed any other way? If and I stress IF Fr Pfleger was wrong in his comments then was not Cardinal George wrong in his response? So you punish a whole parish a whole community because you were Frustrated? Hmm how very Christian of our Blessed Cardinal.

Absolut

13 sentences and 9 of them are questions. What’s your point?
robin ann

posted on another article:
Everyone in support of Fr. Pfleger is making references to how God has directed him in his role as pastor of St. Sabinas parish. I agree, he has done great and wonderful things for the parish and the community. BUT, how can you rally in judgment against a decision made by another priest, a cardinal, no less; is Michael Pfleger the only member of the order capable of hearing and sharing God’s Word? Is your faith in God so weak that you cannot see another man leading the parish? Do you not believe that God can work His will through another priest/pastor? It seems that you are all placing your faith in Fr. Pfleger, rather than God, the messenger instead of the Author. And if that is the case, you have either ignored the Word that has been taught, or the Word was not taught; yet another indictment in support of changing pastors. Perhaps the Word will be better learned from another; a part of the Word being obedience.
devoutcatholic

The comments His Eminence was talking about were those comments which indicate that Mr. Pfleger has already left the Catholic priesthood – the comments that, essentially, if he doesn’t get his way, he will leave the Catholic Church.

I am a Catholic, a mere parishioner, who has had my share of struggles with faith. Not even ONCE have I EVER considered turning my back on the Catholic church and becoming a member of another denomination. I know what it is to feel that the Chuch is being unfair – not just a particular parish, or an archdiocese, but the ENTIRE Church. Even in my darkest hour, never could I imagine NOT being Catholic.

That a Roman Catholic priest can throw around comments so liberally and casually about leaving the Catholic church if he doesn’t get his way is concerning. If at times when my faith was shaken so badly, I never considered leaving the church, how thin must one’s faith be, if he can not only CONSIDER leaving the church so easily, but can throw around these comments?

Cardinal George did EXACTLY what he should have done – a priest who has lost faith in the Catholic Church is NOT a priest, CANNOT minister to Roman Catholic parishioners, and CANNOT administer the sacraments (which, if he’s lost faith in the Church, mean nothing to him).

I pray for Mr. Pfleger (I cannot call him “father” since I believe his lack of faith means he is no longer a Catholic priest). Perhaps he will find his faith again. I pray that he does.

robin ann

Fr. Pfleger was given a rare opportunity to remain active in his chosen community via a post at St. Leo’s. I don’t know of too many priests in any archdiocese that have been granted such, much less being allowed to remain in the same parish for 30 years. In his role at St. Leo’s, he would be continuing his pastoral role in guiding the young members, most likely from St. Sabinas, on their journey to a fulfilling adult life.This strikes me as a noble position, as well as deference to Fr. Pfleger’s geographic preference. I guess that position would not have been as visible to such a wide audience as that of pastor in a parish?
lyndia

I feel they should leave the man where he is. I just hope the do not hire ANY principal from CPS. THEY ARE THE PITS.
SUSAN

I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER QUALIFIED PRIESTS WHO COULD TAKE OVER AT ST. LEO’S. THE CARDINAL HAS A PERSONAL ISSUE WITH PFLEGER.
Avg Joe

Why don’t Pfleger get the two bus loads of welfare getto mama’s he take to his protest with jesse “boy”javkson,…(find me another guy) …and go to jesse ‘s kid who has the bud beer ddistb. , after all drunks kill more then guns, plus the damage to the family….he should move all thos who think this new messiah and follow him to Guyana, jamestown is still for sale, he can re-name it pflergerville….an hey, even the kool-aid vats are still out for them, ….pfleger just go away, you’ll do anything to get on TV or cause trouble, all you care about IS YOUR SELF INTERESST…you are the blue eyed devil, that Frarakan talks about….
Bill

I support Cardinal George. Fr. Pfleger can remain a part of his community even if he is at other duties. He made some bad decisions and there are ramifications for his poor judgement. Whether I am a member of his parish or not, there are certain boundries which one should not cross and Fr. Pfleger decided to cross them. He needs to take his punishment like a man and a priest and move on as directed by his Superiors.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/04/29/pfleger-tells-journalism-students-he-loves-his-job/ Pfleger Tells Journalism Students He Loves His Job « CBS Chicago

[...] Cardinal George is now in Rome for the beatification ceremonies of Pope John Paul II. [...]
Amanda

Dear Cardinal George,
You did the wrong thing. Please do not fire this wonderful servant of the living God.
Making a saint instead. He deserves a better treatment.
Please reconsider this decision.
Eva

devoutcatholic

He cannot be canonized a saint if he is not Catholic. He cannot be Catholic if he has lost the faith in the Church. He cannot have faith in the church if he is so willing to leave it at the drop of a hat.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/04/29/report-new-priest-ordered-to-move-in-at-st-sabina/ Report: New Priest Ordered To Move In At St. Sabina « CBS Chicago

[...] Cardinal George was expected to fly to Rome for the beatification ceremonies of Pope John Paul II. Print Share 0 [...]
Vinny Francone

Father Pfleger is in dangerous waters morally. He is a Catholic priest, his choice is to follow the orders of his Bishop, or refuse them. In refusing them he commits heresy. He is a victim of ego. HE is not important, Christ is important. he should reconsider and submit. Anything else is hubris. Something I know he teaches is heresy If being a Catholic priest means so little to him as to barter it, then he in all reality is not a priest. He lowers his office with the indignity with which he behaves. I pray for him..
Castella

Vnnie what heresy are you talking about. This man is speaking the truth .. what the Bible says. Well acuse him of being a thief, a heretic, and childmolester or anything else you want. But God is the judge of all mankind and we all will give account to God for what we have done for his cause or being a hindrance to his work.
What would you tell God when you die? Would you say you did the right thing kincking this good man out of the church?
lenny borowski

Once again it shows the church is run by man and not God.