Cardinal George Reinstates Pfleger
By Chuck Sudo in News on May 20, 2011 9:20PM
Cardinal Francis George and St. Sabina's Rev. Michael Pfleger have made nice, leading to George lifting his suspension of Pfleger and restoring him to his "sacramental and pastoral ministry at St. Sabina."
Statements from both George and Pfleger indicated a willingness to put the weeks-long faceoff behind them for the greater unity of Chicago's Catholic Church and to lay the foundation for a transition plan that will finally prepare St. Sabina's laity to the reality that Pfleger will eventually move on, as dictated by what George believes are the best interests of the Church.
It isn't a question of who blinked first: both men got what they wanted. Pfleger gets to stay at St. Sabina (for the foreseeable future, anyway). George received the apology he wanted from Pfleger for his remarks that he'd rather leave the Church than be transferred from St. Sabina.
Both George's and Pfleger's statements are on the Archdoicese of Chicago's home page. We're added them to the post for your viewing, as well.
If my remarks in a radio interview seemed to be a threat to leave the priesthood, I am sorry. That was not my intention. I am committed to the priesthood and the Catholic Church. I believe all who know me know well that I want to be a Catholic priest. I have spent the last 36 years of my life trying my best to preach the Gospel, be a voice for justice and the poor, and build up the Church.
In our conversations, Cardinal George and I recognized that the Church has been hurt, and this concerns us both. For the people of St. Sabina and the Church as a whole, I will do all in my power to foster healing for all. We trust in the healing power of God.
Cardinal George has asked, and I agree, that we move toward creating a plan of transition for the future of St. Sabina. In conversation with the people of St. Sabina and our Episcopal Vicar, Bishop Joseph Perry, I will prepare a transition plan for St. Sabina to present to the Cardinal and the Priests’ Placement Board by December 1, 2011.
Cardinal George and I are committed to work together to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his Body, the Church.
After the remarks Father Pfleger made on National Public Radio, which seemed to place himself outside the Church and constitute a threat to leave the Catholic priesthood, I asked Father Pfleger to take time to pray about his personal faith and his commitment to the Catholic priesthood. In the past month, Father Pfleger and I have discussed how the Church has been wounded and how necessary it is to find a way to heal the hurt and confusion.
Father Pfleger’s statement, which he discussed with me, is a genuine step toward healing the hurt and clarifying the confusion.
Many people have been personally affected by these events, including the people of St. Sabina Parish, and I hope that our statements now will bring the peace necessary to strengthen the mission of the Church. I am personally pleased to restore Father Pfleger to his sacramental and pastoral ministry at St. Sabina and in the Archdiocese of Chicago. With him, I ask the Lord to bless him and the people he loves.
As Archbishop of this local Church, the Archdiocese of Chicago, I share with the auxiliary bishops and priests a particular responsibility for our unity in Christ. We rely upon Christ to heal us now and to guide us in the future. I look forward to visiting St. Sabina Parish in the near future.