Posted on 04/07/2010 7:22:09 AM PDT by schmootman
CHICAGO, April 6, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Archdiocese of Chicago's Office for Racial Justice has announced that Fr. Michael Pfleger, the notoriously controversial priest who has been a prominent supporter of pro-abortion politicians, including President Barack Obama, will be honored at the office's anniversary event in April. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, who is president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, has approved of the honor and will preside at the event.
Fr. Michael Pfleger, the pastor of Saint Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago, was listed as a planned recipient of the Racial Justice Lifetime Achievement award at an event celebrating the Office for Racial Justice's 10th anniversary and honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 7th.
Pfleger gained notoriety as a former member of the Catholics for Obama Committee, a voluntary advisory committee to the Obama campaign, and for having called Obama "the best thing to come across the political scene since Bobby Kennedy.”
Pfleger has also drawn criticism from the Archdiocese of Chicago for hosting and supporting various pro-abortion figures, including Rev. Al Sharpton. In 2003, Pfleger violated archdiocesan rules forbidding pro-abortion individuals to speak at the pulpit by inviting singer Harry Belafonte to speak at Sunday Mass at St. Sabina. Belafonte used the opportunity to criticize President George W. Bush for threatening a "woman's right to abortion" with his pro-life policies.
Ironically, the priest has also drawn fire for racist-themed remarks: in 2008 during a videotaped homily, the priest mocked then-senator Hillary Clinton's impending defeat by candidate Obama, implying that Clinton was racist and annoyed that "there's a black man stealing my show." Several days after the remark, which garnered condemnation from both Obama and Cardinal George, Fr. Pfleger apologized, and took a two-week disciplinary leave of absence at the cardinal's urging.
When LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) spoke with Sr. Anita Baird, the founding director of the Office for Racial Justice, she confirmed that Cardinal George had approved the award, and said Fr. Pfleger "has dedicated his life to working for racial justice."
When LSN asked about Pfleger's endorsement of Mr. Obama, Baird interjected, stating that "the president is not pro-abortion, the president is pro-choice." "I think they are two very different things," she said.
Asked to elaborate, Baird continued: "To be pro-abortion is that you believe in abortion and you support it. And I don't think you'll find that the president has ever said that." Baird pointed to President Obama's controversial abortion-themed speech at the University of Notre Dame last May, saying that "his challenge was that we find ways to ensure that women - that would be their last choice, and that they would choose life."
"I just think we need to be clear with our language," said Baird.
Obama's speech at Notre Dame counseled graduates to shun "demonizing" proponents of the killing of unborn children, and to instead seek "common ground" on the issue.
Baird emphasized that "Fr. Pfleger is a priest in good standing in the archdiocese in Chicago," and that Cardinal George reinstated Pfleger as pastor of St. Sabina after the two-week leave. "So that is not an issue here," she said.
Asked about the Office for Racial Justice's position on life, Baird pointed to the "seamless garment" theory of former Chicago Archbishop Joseph Cardinal Bernardin. She declined to take a position on the issue of endorsing pro-choice candidates.
The Chicago Archbishop's office has not responded to LSN's request for comment on the award as of press time.
QUOTE:
When LSN asked about Pfleger's endorsement of Mr. Obama, Baird interjected, stating that "the president is not pro-abortion, the president is pro-choice." "I think they are two very different things," she said.
Asked to elaborate, Baird continued: "To be pro-abortion is that you believe in abortion and you support it. And I don't think you'll find that the president has ever said that." Baird pointed to President Obama's controversial abortion-themed speech at the University of Notre Dame last May, saying that "his challenge was that we find ways to ensure that women - that would be their last choice, and that they would choose life."
Disgusting and shameful.
pardon me but WTF?
Cardinal George is proving to be a heretic himself.
There needs to be a popular uprising against these heretics and political radicals, their removal from office, and a purging of their political philosophies in order for Christians to stand united against the international threat of militant Islam.
I have my packet of collection envelopes and I want to remove them from my packet so that I no longer support the USCCB.
I have had it with them!
Is this Father Pfleger the idiot priest who used to guest speak at Zero’s church in Chicago?
Same guy!
I didn’t know that priests could adopt children. Perhaps the cardinal could explain this.
The collections are different in every diocese. The worst offender is the USCCB’s Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which is collected in the fall in some dioceses and in the spring with the Combined Collections in other dioceses. Call the archdiocese and find out — 312-534-8200. You might also mention how you feel about Cardinal George’s leadership!
Lets see how some of those statements from this idiot nun looks when you replace abortion with something else horrendous.
“When LSN asked about Pfleger’s endorsement of Mr. Obama, Baird interjected, stating that “the president is not pro-cannibalism, the president is pro-choice on cannibalism.” “I think they are two very different things,” she said.”
“Baird pointed to President Obama’s controversial cannibalism-themed speech at the University of Notre Dame last May, saying that “his challenge was that we find ways to ensure that women - that eating other people would be their last choice, and that they would choose not to.”
Freegards
“Can you believe that a Catholic Bishop allows a Chancery employee to say things like this?
Paul Shanley pedophile priest, supporter of man/boy sex and homosexualty, was said to be a “priest in good standing” too by Bishop Robert Banks of Boston, and that Shanley had no problems that should concern those where he was moving.
Why should a mere employee not be able to say such things when cardinals and bishops can say that pedophiles, practicing homosexuals and supporters of abortion are priests “in good standing”?
Now that I’m OFFICIALLY a Catholic, I feel I have the right to say: this is completely corrupt, and it must anger and disgust the Lord.
Welcome. You obviously can distinguish between the “Church” and some people of the Church. Most people can’t. We need more Catholics like you.
Thanks. I’ve loved the Church for many years and finally last year decided to stop fighting the urge, stop being just an admirer and fan, and join up! Ex-Episcopalian, got sworn in at the Easter Vigil. Now I’m going to work hard for the Church and run my mouth, and/or my mouse.
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!! I am APPALLED!!!! Cardinal George is a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT for a “Holy”man.
He’s Disobdeient “priest” who’s getting an award....meanwhile DECENT, HOLY PRIESTS are not!!
Sr. Anita Baird is probably a COMMUNIST!
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