Catholic Culture Resources
Catholic Culture Resources

the controversialist

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Apr 15, 2010

The ink was barely dry on the Lifetime Achievement Award that Cardinal George presented to Father Michael Pfleger, when the notorious Chicago priest was at in the news again-- this time, for a Sunday sermon in which he announced that "there should be women priests… women bishops, women cardinals."

Evidently someone in the Chicago chancery called the volatile pastor to account, and soon a statement from Father Pfleger appeared on the archdiocesan web site:

On Sunday, April 11, while preaching a sermon on the power of fear, I was referring to the fear that paralyzed the apostles, locking them in a room, leaving only John and the women at the foot of the cross. I stated that is why I believe women ought to be able to be ordained, as well as priests ought to be able to get married.

While this is my personal opinion, I do respect and follow the Catholic Church teachings and I am sorry I failed to do this.

Sorry; that won't do. If you "respect and follow the Catholic Church teachings," you don't hold a "personal opinion" completely at odds with those teachings. If you respect the teachings of the Church regarding priestly ministry, you don't use the pulpit to advance a "personal opinion" of any kind, let alone an opinion critical of the Church.
 

Based on the statement above, would you say that Father Pfleger understands, accepts, and submits to the authority of the magisterium? No. Do you think Cardinal George has the intelligence to reach the same conclusion? Yes. Will the cardinal allow a priest who disregards Church authority to remain in place as a pastor? Wait and see.  

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