Chicago: Father Pfleger resists leaving parish assignment
March 21, 2011
The controversial Chicago priest, Father Michael Pfleger, has confirmed that Cardinal Francis George has asked him to accept a new assignment. But Father Pfleger told his congregation at St. Sabina's that he wants to stay at the parish where he has served for 30 years.
Father Pfleger told his parishioners that he has written to Cardinal George about the proposed change of assignment, but he declined to divulge the contents of his letter. Thus, without refusing the reassignment, he raised the question of whether Cardinal George will demand compliance.
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Further information:
- Chicago priest wants to stay at longtime church (Chicago Tribune)
- Congregation applauds Pfleger, who says he wants to stay at St. Sabina (Sun-Times)
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Posted by: -
Mar. 22, 2011 2:35 PM ET USA
Thank you"Mike in Toronto"for your suggestion. I think a priest,when he is the pastor of a parish, should work on building up the stewardship of the parish. With a strong parish, because of the many parishioners involved in multiple aspects of the parish, the life of the parish will continue with the change of pastors. The greatest gift a pastor can give his parish is the strength to continue without him. Hum,that sounds like the goal and purpose of parenting! Is that why we call him "father"?
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Mar. 22, 2011 12:12 PM ET USA
Now I recall that several years ago, there was a spitting match between Cardinal George and Father Pfleger, in which Cardinal George tried to suspend Father Pfleger. As I recall it, Fr. Pfleger was back on the job in a couple of weeks. Let's see if this time is any different. I suspect not, but I pray so.
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Mar. 22, 2011 7:56 AM ET USA
Our favorite pastor, an orthodox priest in his mid 60s who is a true father to his parishioners, has been transferred twice in the past five years; most recently to a parish that is too far for us to reach on a weekly basis. Our faith is not about one priest, but we would have loved to have him as our pastor for 30 years. With each transfer, however, he emphasized his vow of obedience to his bishop. Flaky Pfleger, on the other hand, apparently thinks he is exempt. The rebels remain unpunished.
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Posted by: -
Mar. 22, 2011 7:32 AM ET USA
Funny- I thought Obedience to the bishop and his successors was one of the promises made by priests at ordination...What Fr Pfleger wants is not really in question: nor should Cardinal George "ask" him to move - if the Cardinal wants to move one of his priests then he is entitled to do so without fear of being portrayed as some sort of villain. There is so much wrong in the priesthood at the moment that we hear about every day - and so much of what is wrong clearly has its roots in disobedience.
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Mar. 21, 2011 10:46 PM ET USA
That's what happens when you leave a priest at the same parish for 30 years. He can't imagine being anywhere else. There is a good reason for moving them every 6-7 years.
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Posted by: imanxufan9901 -
Mar. 21, 2011 10:32 PM ET USA
This man is a joke! The cardinal had better watch out. Pflger will have obama after him!
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Posted by: -
Mar. 21, 2011 8:45 PM ET USA
Would another parish want him??
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Posted by: Mike in Toronto -
Mar. 21, 2011 7:08 PM ET USA
Great comments to the article in the Sun-Times link above. :-)
