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.
It is rather interesting that the Cardinal even brought up Fr. Pfleger disagreement on this. I do hope this "Sabinattical" does him some good.
 Whispers in the Loggia |
5 comments
That guy hurts my ears. Not as much what he says, so much as how loud he actually yells. Why do preacher-men go from just barely whispering to obscene screaming?
I feel bad for his bishop. Let’s send him a get-well card.
CJ, it wouldn’t be the first time they were in disagreement. But perhaps Cardinal George was hearkening to Fr. Pfleger’s prior resistance to reassignment to another parish in 2001, even though he’d been pastor of St. Sabina since 1981.
Me thinks his ‘entrenchment’ hasn’t been such a good idea … but maybe putting this bad boy into a corner for ‘time out’ will help. Or not.
Yup, let’s pray for them both — for perspective and submission to the Lord’s will, and special blessings on Cardinal George for flexing his episcopal muscle.
This guy should have had his faculties removed long ago–like when he adopted children against the orders of his bishop.
I think what Cardinal George did was swift and sure. We need to see more of this in the church. Even my pastor says that sometimes he thinks it would be better for some folks to have no priest at all rather than a really bad one.
Isn’t this the same pastor who in the last few years or so called for the “snuffing” of a gunshop owner? Oi….The Cardinal needs to flex his authoritative muscle far more consistently.