Please join me in prayers for this troubled priest! Although I was filled with joy when I read in the news that Francis Cardinal George finally suspended, and effectively removed Fr. Michael Pfleger from exercising his priestly duties at Saint Sabina Parish, but, as I espected, Father Pfleger continues with his all out disobedience to Church authorities, dissent from definitive teaching (i.e women ordination, homosexual marriage), and threats on national radio and local newspapers about leaving the Church for good. Cardinal George (who shows immense patience with this guy by the way) was forced to get Father Michael Pfleger the hell away from his flock last month…. bravo Cardinal.
the Cardinal had this to say on his letter to Fr. Pfleger, April 27th:
Bishops are held responsible for their priests on the assumption that priests obey them. I have consistently supported your work for social justice and admired your passion for ministry. Many love and admire you because of your dedication to your people. Now, however, I am asking you to take a few weeks to pray over your priestly commitments in order to come to mutual agreement on how you understand personally the obligations that make you a member of the Chicago presbyterate and of the Catholic Church.
With this letter, your ministry as pastor of Saint Sabina Parish and your sacramental faculties as a priest of the Archdiocese are suspended. The official rescript will follow, but this suspension permits you to retain the office of pastor while temporarily without permission to function …
Father Pfleger, I deeply regret that your public remarks have brought you to a moment of crisis that I pray will quickly pass. This conflict is not between you and me; it’s between you and the Church that ordained you a priest, between you and the faith that introduced you to Christ and gives you the right to preach and pastor in his name. If you now formally leave the Catholic Church and her priesthood, it’s your choice and no one else’s. You are not a victim of anyone or anything other than your own statements.
I pray to the Blessed Virgin for help, so that Fr. Pfleger turns away from his pride, repents, and reconciles to Christ and His Holy Church.
Roberto
