Pfleger Draws Another Line in Sand

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 11, 2011 1:36PM

The butting of heads between Cardinal Francis George and suspended St. Sabina parish Rev. Michael Pfleger continues. Pfleger, who's remarks on Tavis Smiley's national radio show that he would consider leaving the Catholic Church rather than accept a transfer from St. Sabina led to his suspension, said he will start preaching at other churches if George doesn't reinstate him by this weekend.

Pfleger made his announcement to a group of St. Sabina's parishoners yesterday, adding that he's received offers from across the country to preach and that it's something he needs to get back to doing.

The rub here is that the Cardinal likely will not lift the suspension. While Pfleger's history at St. Sabina's is without question successful, his methods come in direct confrontation with George's conservative interpretation of church teachings and his insistence that priests in the church maintain their vows of obedience. For George, the public insubordination of Pfleger is rubbing him the wrong way, but it pales in comparison to his belief that Pfleger is violating sacred oaths to work for what is best for the church.