Jun 03 2008
Father Pfleger temporarily removed from church by Cardinal
According to CBS2 in Chicago, Cardinal George has temporarily removed Father Pflegler from his position as pastor. He has held this position since 1981.
he Cardinal reportedly spoke to Pfleger again Tuesday morning.
“I have asked Father Michael Pfleger, Pastor of St. Sabina’s Parish, to step back from his obligations there,” the Cardinal said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon, “and take leave for a couple of weeks from his pastoral duties, effective today.”
The order requires Fr. Pflger to at least temporarily leave the rectory he’s called home for the past 24 years. It’s clear that Pfleger tried to fight the move.
“Fr. Pfleger does not believe this to be the right step at this time,” the Cardinal’s statement continued. “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.”
Those regulations ban the preaching of partisan politics.
The Cardinal also reached out to parishioners.
“I hope also that the life of St. Sabina’s parish may continue in uninterrupted fashion. I ask the members…to cooperate with [Father William Vanecko, who will temporarily replace Pfleger] and to keep him and Fr. Pfleger in their prayers. They are in mine,” the Cardinal’s statement said.
