(Cardinal) George Temporarily Removes Pfleger From St. Sabina

CBS2 Chicago ^ | 6/3/2008 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

CBS 2 News has learned that Francis Cardinal George is temporarily removing Father Michael Pfleger from his position as pastor of St. Sabina Roman Catholic Church on Chicago's South Side.

CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports the move comes after several days of deliberation and consultation by the Cardinal, who first learned about Pfleger's racially charged comments about Sen. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton from the pulpit of Trinity Unity Church of Christ last Thursday night.

The Cardinal immediately contacted Pfleger who agreed not to refer to the presidential candidates by name, but as CBS 2 reported at the time, there remained the possibility of some further disciplinary action against Pfleger.

The Cardinal reportedly spoke to Pfleger again this morning.

A spokesman for the archdiocese would neither confirm nor deny action had been taken to remove Pfleger. Another spokesman said she expected to have some announcement later today.

Indications are that another Chicago priest would take over at St. Sabina, while plans for the permanent reassignment of Father Pfleger, who's been there far longer than is customary in the archdiocese, would be accelerated....

[Barnacle]

STATEMENT OF FRANCIS CARDINAL GEORGE, O.M.I., ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO June 3, 2008

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.

Interpretation: Let me give it to you straight. I told Phleger to chill out for a couple of weeks. He mouthed off and I had to remind him that I'm the boss and he's got to stop shooting off his big mouth. He's a Catholic priest and if he wants to remain one, he'd better start acting like one. Maybe once he's out of the circus atmosphere, he can get his head out of his %*&.

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.

Interpretation: Don't you parishioners get any crazy ideas. This is a Catholic church and I have the power to excommunicate. A guy I can trust will be running the show. Don't give him any grief. Pray for Phleger. He's going to need all the prayers he can get.

[baa39]

Pogo,

Good question, and maybe it’s slowly but surely going that way, let us pray! I may have a partial answer for you, my post (#24) on another Phleger thread from a few days ago. (I have family from Chicago and relatives in the priesthood on which I base this opinion):

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2024030/posts

[baa39]

He’ll probably immediately be offered a prestigious teaching position at a Jesuit university.
;-)

[baa39]

There’s a bit of clarification needed to the “priest for life” statement. The Sacrament of Holy Orders is permanent, a priest is ontologically different than a layperson... forever. Yes, it would be unusual to “defrock” him, however, there have been extreme cases (such as Michael Fox) where a priest is excommunicated. He could also be laicized without being excommunicated (reduced to the lay state, but could continue as a regular practicing Catholic). He could also be allowed to remain a priest, but banned from performing the sacraments (he could not say mass, baptize, etc).

[baa39]

Cardinal George also had some childhood disease (polio?) that causes him every once in a while to fall. He doesn’t lose consciousness, he will just stumble or collapse. I’ve heard he makes light of it and jokingly warns folks, “if I fall, just prop me back up and I’ll go right along...”

He really is a good guy, and has been trying to clean up the Phleger mess he inherited for some years, and looks like the good Father finally gave him the break he needed, ironically by something much LESS egregious than the catechetical and liturgical abuses going on in that parish for years.

[tiki]

I’m just guessing here because I don’t know much about him but it sounds like the ego got him.

[Alex Murphy]

It's about time!

No kidding!

[Nextrush]

His theology wasn’t about Christ to begin with, it was “Liberation Theology” based on Karl Marx and defining “people of color” as the oppressed and whites as the oppressors.

Popes JP II and Benedict XVI have both spoken out against it and disciplined the clergy and theologians who preach and teach it.

[NavVet]

Doesn’t David Duke need a Priest.

[markomalley]

Father Michael Pfleger reminds me of Eminem

Have to agree with you.

I don't. Eminem is a class act aside of this guy.

[defconw]

Odds are the Father will find himself doing administrative paper work at the Diocesan offices right down the hallway from Cardinal George.

[markomalley]

joebuck: I’m sure the Church can find a nice parish for him in Outer Mongolia.

A.Hun: Hopefully, they will reassign him to a needy parish in Zimbabwe.

netmilsmom: Not if he is removed to a remote parish somewhere in the boonies.

What in the world have the Catholics in Outer Mongolia, Zimbabwe, and out in the boonies done to merit this guy?

Answer: NOTHING!!!

As for me, I would hope that His Eminence would have the good Reverend Father take an extended retreat to contemplate his vocation. I would suggest the Carthusian Monastery in Vermont.

A typical Carthusian cell:

In that way, being able to devote himself to prayer and reflection without any distractions for an extended period (say, until this time next year) the good Reverend Father might be able to see if he is truly called to be a diocesan priest or if he is actually called to a different vocation.

But PLEASE don't suggest that he be sent to someplace else, ANYPLACE else. Why should he be given the chance to screw other people up?

[markomalley]

Really? I didn’t realize the Catholic Church took this position with priests.

The theology is that the Sacrament of Orders imparts an "indelible mark" on the recipient. That is the reason that you never hear of one being defrocked. (The technical term is laicized, by the way -- even though the Church has removed their right to function as a priest, they are still technically and sacramentally priests). In fact, that is the reason why an ordinand (an ordained deacon, priest, or bishop), even if married at the time of his ordination, may never be married after ordination (that applies to both the Latin and Eastern rites -- to include the Orthodox Churches).

So, in theory, they could suspend him from ministry. They could laicize him (prohibit him permanently from exercising any ministry, wearing clerical clothing, and identifying himself as a priest), but he will always and forever be, at least technically, a priest.

[verga]

He could also be allowed to remain a priest, but banned from performing the sacraments (he could not say mass, baptize, etc).

Point of information: Any person above the age of reason can peform a baptism.

Even a person of different faith or even no faith. As long as they intend to do as the Church does. Also in extreme cases a priest that has been laicized can give last rites and hear a final confession. The penetitnt must be in grave danger of death and there must be no other priest to give recourse, but it can legally be done.

[netmilsmom]

Apparently you’ve never been a priest taken to a new parish. I have Uncles that are priests, one is a Bishop. If this man is set to his own wills and basically fired, he starts the speaking tour and makes tons of money.

In a new, set parish, where the parishioners rule the roost (and don’t think they don’t) his life becomes one of bowing to everyone around him. Basically, smacked down and at that point all he can do is leave the priesthood so as to leave his vow of obedience.

He would not be sent to a monestary, he is a different kind of priest. The best thing is IMO, a good ethnic parish where the laity takes no crap.

[ovrtaxt]

Could you imagine if they sent him to some whitebread church in say, northern North Dakota? haha

[Northern Yankee]

I hear they’re looking for a priest to take over in Greenland.... ; )

[Rennes Templar]

I think he’ll quit the church and go into comedy. That guy was funny!

[netmilsmom]

>>Every last person of the 700+ I helped facilitate with left the mountain in a much better place emotionally, psychodynamically, relationally and in terms of self-confidence and self-respect.<<

I’m thinking more Lincoln, Nebraska

[ovrtaxt]

maybe even Ruby Ridge, Idaho? Is there a Catholic church there?