Pfleger: 'Backlash from My Sermon Hurts More than Death of My Foster Son'
Monday, June 2, 2008 at 05:07PM Fr. Michael Pfleger, who offered the controversial sermon last week at Trinity United Church of Christ that provoked Barack and Michelle Obama to finally resign their membership from the Chicago based church, offered an apology to “the church family” for his inflammatory remarks.
In his sermon, Pfleger mocked Hillary Clinton and that “America is the greatest sin against God” . In his apology, Pfleger said that the backlash has been more painful than the death of his foster son. This from Pfleger’s weird bio:
In 1981, Father Pfleger became the proud adoptive father of an eight-year-old son, Lamar. In 1992, he also became the adoptive father of Beronti, who is presently a student at University of Central Florida. In 1997, he became a foster father to Jarvis Franklin, who was tragically killed as a result of gang crossfire, May 30, 1998.
This is a part of the apology from Pfleger:
Statement of Apology to the Church Family
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Last Sunday, I was invited by Trinity United Church of Christ to come and preach on the topic of race.
I agreed to do so because of my love for Trinity, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Rev. Otis Moss, III and because all my life I have sought to deal with the reality of racism. As I said, Last Sunday, I have committed myself to tear down the walls that divide us wherever they stand.
The last few days have been the most painful days of my life, even more so than the murder of Jarvis, my foster son.
Brothers and sisters, racism is an explosive and sensitive sin in our world and it is against the command to love, and against the God of love.
I am neither a racist nor a sexist. I am constrained by this great Gospel that I have been called to preach, to be an agent of reconciliation, as well as a truth teller.
Agent of reconciliation? He’s got to be kidding! It’s disturbing that someone who draws attention to himself using hateful and inflammatory rhetoric finds the well deserved criticism he earned more painful than the murder of a foster son.
Pfleger should be excommunicated by the Catholic Church YESTERDAY. He is a big supporter of abortion, which is an excommunicable offense, particularly for the clergy. In 2002 he taunted the Church to “have the balls to fire me” . I say we honor that request.
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Reader Comments (35)
Mr. Pfleger said:
The last few days have been the most painful days of my life, even more so than the murder of Jarvis, my foster son.
He should have remained silent. This man is a fool. I don't understand how a supposedly intelligent person can stand so many fools around him. A sure way of feeling superior.
This priest definitely needs prayer. And I don't say that mockingly. He is misguided and apparently has a huge burr up his saddle that is distracting him and injuring others.
And perhaps the Archdiocese of Chicago and its leader will finally find the testicularity to fire Pfleger.
I am baffled by the Church's inaction on the positions of this priest. This past week, Rome has said that the ordination of women as priests is an automatic excommunication of the women ordained. I will not argue that point. But it seems to me that Father Phleger's trangressions over the years should be deemed at least as dangerous as female priests seem to be.
Excommunicate without a doubt! Excommunicate without a doubt ! Oh, did I say that already, 'Excommunicate !"
Further, the so-called church on the south side of Chicago is not a church; it's a rebel-rousing, hate intoxicating, left-wing political house of lords (small "L" intentional). The lords of the political wards that promote racism without regard to color as long as the color is white. The congregation are not there for prayer services. Just look at 'em getting all roused up in a frenzy over bad-mouthing whitey!
And all this in the name of the Lord? Dear God in heaven, help us!
Hey we both made RCP's frontpage at the same time for related posts, high five platoon leader, go give me a vote if you haven't already, You know I gave you one. Obama is a poisonous viper with plenty of venom hidden in his pits, Wright, Pfleger,Meeks, Ayers, Dorhn, Khalidi, Said, Auchi, Rezko and the sack grows bigger by the day.
Father Pfleger uses race as a weapon to celebrate hatred against whites, then claims in his 'opoplogy' that he is an "agent of reconciliation." An agent of change really isn't an agent of reconciliation, but rather of conflict. One reconciles to accept and opposes to change.
But the elites really do think we are stupid enough to believe their B.S.
Pride soars far too high for mortal men to fathom, at least until their ultimate crash is revealed.
No Obama nation!
Just say NO! to an Obama nation.
No Obama!
It seems, Fr Pfleger is a prolific 'sole chewer'...
SAF WANTS MINISTER INVESTIGATED FOR THREATS AGAINST GUN DEALER
For Immediate Release: 5/29/2007
BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate a Chicago priest for threatening to “snuff” suburban Riverdale firearms retailer John Riggio during an anti-gun protest rally Saturday, May 26, near Chuck’s Gun Shop.
SAF founder Alan Gottlieb is sending a letter to Assistant U.S. Attorney General Wan Kim, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, asking that the agency also investigate the Rev. Michael Pfleger for essentially encouraging a crowd of about 200 protesters to drive Riggio out of business. The gun shop has been in business for more than 30 years, and Riggio is the second-generation owner.
In a stunning audio recording of Pfleger’s remarks, the pastor of St. Sabina’s Church can clearly be heard stating, “John Riggio…we’re going to find you and snuff you out.” Moments later, Pfleger added, “We’re going to snuff out John Riggio, we’re going to snuff out legislators that are voting…against our gun laws and we’re coming for you because we are not going to sit idly.”
You can find the audio of this address at http://gawfer.net
This dude is another loose cannon with strong ties to the Nation of Islam. Why do these guys keep popping up on the Obama side?
Your church didn't excommunicate Hitler, the pedophile priests, etc. Kinda waters down the gravity of the cry for EXCOMMUNICATION!, no?
Hitler wasn't a Catholic. And yes, pedophile priests should be excommunicated but before pulling out the "pedophilia" card, less than 1% of priests are guilty of such a crime.
And no, pointing to some other priest (any names?) who deserves excommunication doesn't water down the necessity for this priest to be excommunicated. Or do you advocate only prosecuting grade-A felonies and not other crimes? That's where your logic is taking you.
It is an excommunicable offense to support and endorse abortion. Period. That's the end of that. There were recently excommunications of severeal nuns in the Archdiocese of KC (excommunication actually comes from the Vatican) who were ordained as priests. This is also a violation of church law. The priests who did the ordaining were excommunicted, too.
The reality is that the priesthood is a very high, serious vocation. Pfleger has given the finger to the church like a rebellious teenager except this has enormous spiritual implications. Jesus said if a part fo the body causes one to sin, it should be cut off. Pfleger needs to be cut off. Jesus said in the same passage that if anyone offends "one of these children" (referring to the children in his kingdom/church) that it would be better for that offender if he had a millstone tied around his neck and he cast himself into the bottom of the sea.
It's clear that offense and disobedience are scandalous problems in the church and if someone who has taken Holy Orders to surrender his life to Christ, ministering within the parameters of his office as a representative of Christ to the Church, he should NOT be a priest if he cannot keep his vows. Pfleger has not keep the vows of the priesthood. Divorce him.
Don't get me wrong, you have the right to kick anyone out of your club that you want. It's your club after all. But when you don't kick out those higher ups who were complicit in the abuse real live children, but kick out someone else for just expressing thier opinion on reproductive rights......
Good thing you aren't a member of the club, GOF. Kinda fun to stand outside and throw rocks though, eh?
"The last few days have been the most painful days of my life, even more so than the murder of Jarvis, my foster son."
I found this remark so disturbing. My children are my life and to hear a parent say such a disparaging remark, it is sickening.
I may not be Catholic, so I really don't have a say so, but something should be done about this guy.
Are you guys really serious????????????????????????????????????
If so, pathetic and sad..... Not to mention, RIDICULOUS! Get over the church thing and talk about something that really matters!!!
Amy since you want to bring this STUPID issue up all the time as the "gift that keeps on giving"... Did you see that General Sanchez put out a book saying the same stuff as pretty much EVERYBODY else has said about the bush administration and the war???
Nice! But according to you and the rest I guess he is lying to? Or he is a TRAITOR? Or whatever other childish slam you can try to put up just like with old Scotty boy....
There you have it! A real subject!!!
"...Nice! But according to you and the rest I guess he is lying to? Or he is a TRAITOR? Or whatever other childish slam you can try to put up just like with old Scotty boy..."
Thanks for joining in with the Childish slam antics... Welcome to the club! Watch out though, grumpy old fart is throwing stones at us. :D
Oh, well, you are soooo right STL. Why on EARTH should Amy, a devout Catholic, blog about Pfleger - a Catholic in Name Only in priest garb and have an opinion about how he represents Catholicism!
That was sarcasm, by the way.
I certainly do hope that the Catholic Church acts on Pfleger once and for all. And I think Pfleger wants them too, also. Then he would have more "victim cred" to add to his act.
As a Catholic, this situation most certainly matters to me.
AirforceWife,
Are you insinuating that because Amy is the blog owner, she can post anything she wants?
Oh, you renegade! Don’t you realize free speech means we are free to post what ever Liberals think we ought to? They are the ones who determine what points are important enough to argue, you know.
Grumpy, one is a criminal offense one is canon law. They are two different categories. Is there a reason why you're changing the subject? I mean, you don't want to rehash our old argument about how most priests who abuse children were gay, do you?
The Church isn't a club, it is a kingdom. There are rules. If he does't want to be Catholic, there are obviously many other places he would be welcomed, starting with Trinity. There is no need to tolerate his behavior when it tears down the church he supposedly (and I do mean supposedly) supports.
Reproductive "rights"? Again, if Pfleger wants to give the finger to the church let him do it elsewhere. "Reproduction" is a privileage and an honor, not a right. Abortion is an abomination. That's all there is to that.
STL, have you read Sanchez' book? He was here at Ft. Leavenworth 2 weeks doing a book signing. His book isn't like McClellan's book. It does describe the tactical errors of the war, which he was largely responsible for as commander in Iraq, which is our whole purpose in life here at Leavenworth (counterinsurgency, lessons learned, strategies, etc). You also haven't apparently paid attention to any of the entries I've posted about Sanchez and his book:
GEN Sanchez on the Media Coverage of Abu Ghraib
Sanchez: Iraq strategy is working and the war was worth it
Sanchez Concedes He Had Enough Troops in Iraq 2003
Etc.
Libs are weird. I think they have control issues. They come here, and STD,..er, STL, is not alone, and tell me what to post and what to care about. Isn't that odd human behavior? I think it is.
I'm sorry, but I refuse to refer to Pfleger as "Father", I am embarassed that he has not been, at the very least, transferred out of the spotlights to some far off place where he can either decide he wants to be a priest and follow Christ or continue on his current hateful path without the collar. He is exactly what we do not need as the face of the Catholic Church splashed across the internet and on the news shows.
Not to forget Pfleger ranted about wanting to snuff out a legitimate gun store owner. I saw today that the Chicago diocese has suspended him, good news.
Keith, I completely agree. I referred to Pfleger as "Fr." only in the entry for context so readers will know he is a Roman Catholic. The indelible print of the priesthood impacts Pfleger's life for eternity, whether that's good or for evil, but he has in my opinion forfeited the privileage to be called Father.
Goat is right that Pfleger threatened a gun store owner. I point toward the freedom with which he swears in his sermons as an indicator of where his heart is, and I don't sense Christ there.
"There is no need to tolerate his behavior when it tears down the church he supposedly (and I do mean supposedly) supports."
And the Vatican's behaviour in sheltering pedophiles doesn't "tear down the church"? Cannon law is more important than crimes against children?
By the way, I totally agree with you. Fr. Pfleger is an asswipe. Can I get a DUH!
And you're telling me all all these bishops are gay????
Libs?? Again, you guys have no idea of what that word even means... Weak, weak, weak... Anytime you want to excuse what somebody is saying you just call them a Lib and turn off your ears because that is what you have been trained to do...
Liberal - So let's get this straight... Amy has said that Iraq is a humanitarian effort and she would spend OUR tax dollars for a humanitarian purpose any day of the week. In more or less words... So, that makes you a LIBERAL!!! That is what is so fummy about you people and is the same complaint that REAL REPUBLICANS have with people such as your self and the current administration! The Bush administration and his flock(including the blind following of our citizenry) have spent MORE of OUR tax dollars for MORE LIBERAL purposes (social programs, our "humanitarian" effort in Iraq, Religious programs, etc...) than ANYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So who is the pot calling the kettle black????? Liberal does not mean ABORTION & GAY MARRIAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take a look at yourselves before continuing the MORONIC DEMONIZATION of a word that is the basis of the foundation of our COUNTRY!!!!!!!!
Butas most of you will reply that I am wrong (when I am not), I guess the word means whatever you want it ot mean so go ahead and keep living in ignorance rather than reality.............
grumpy, your link says:
2/3rds? Sorry, I'm not buying. and what the heck is a "mainstream Roman Catholic diocese"? And if you read the article, those men are bishops, according to this non-Catholic site, who "covered up" PRIESTS ABSUSING BOYS. So, yeah, I stand by my statement that it is overwhelmingly gays who are abusing children in the church. We've been through this before and the stat I quote is from the council of Bishops, which reports over 81% of all cases involve gay priests. It could be as much as 88%.
But that is beside the point. Your comment that "the Vatican's behaviour in sheltering pedophiles" is completely false. The Vatican has never sheltered pedophiles. The cases which occur do so at the local and sometimes state levels. Perhaps you were AWOL during the Pope's visit when he condemned this scandal and the abusing priests when he came to the U.S.
I have already provided scriptural condemnal and moral outrage in this thread relating to the abuse of children in the church. There are really no words to adequately describe the sort of condemnation that these priests deserve. Some of the victims who met with the Pope (they are now adults) spoke very positively of their discussion with Pope Benedict and are on the road to healing.
Your attempt to stain the entire church by the actions of a gross minority is beneath the level of what deserves discussion.
STL, your comments are so ridiculous I'm not going to comment.
"Perhaps you were AWOL during the Pope's visit when he condemned this scandal and the abusing priests when he came to the U.S."
The statement was pathetic, hypocritical and way too late. Most criminals are very sorry, after the fact, and really only sorry that they got caught.
Ratzinger was an enabler of the abuse, and an enforcer of the cover-up. Yeah, he apologized for the scandal and the priests, but he'll never acknowledge his personal culpability.
"...what the heck is a "mainstream Roman Catholic diocese"?
I dunno, but there are only 194 diocese, so looking at 178 of 'em is hardly cherry picking. What's your point here?
As for the gay angle, it's a little more complex than just blaming it all on some gay conspiracy.
For instance, even if all the abusive priests were "gay", what percentage of all gay priests were abusers?
What do you meant by "gay" to begin with?
Are all abusers of adolescent boys "gay"?
Is there something about the priesthood that attracts men who are likely to be pedophiles?
Etc....
DELETED
STL, read the Rules of Engagement This is getting old.
So because you live in St. Louis which has a large Catholic population (what large city doesn't? Duh!) you know the Catholic faith better than I do, who am a practicing Catholic. I see.
Please, back up your accusation that the Vatican was complicit in the sex scandal crimes. You can't. No links to Daily Kos, please. They don't count as evidence.
Did not claim I knew it better than you and I am sure I don't... That is your position... The fact is that they were involved in the cover up and you know it... Again, you blank out what you want and that is fine but pretty petty if you ask me because you are drowning out others opinions and if yu want a true forum that is what it should be. Again, what good is an article to back anything up when it was ALL OVER THE NEWS AT THE TIME...
Funny, there you go again... Daily Kos? Thanks but no thanks... Looked at it one time and never went back... Nice try but your cheap comebacks of "liberal" or any other cheap partisan attack tactic don't work here sister...
Get over it and I was not implying if you still go you support what happened. Many still go but observe a "silent" protest by not contributing... But many in "principle" do not go at all because they feel they are supporting the THOUSANDS of cases that DID happen and were hidden by the organization... But if you want to ignore what happened keep doing so please..............
It is Amy's way I guess??? Pretty good track record of doing so...
It is an issue just like rev. wright but in most logical people's mind... THAT IS A HECK OF A LOT BIGGER!!!!!!!!
So if you want to make issues of something be ready for them to come back on you...
So you cannot back your claim that the Vatican is complicit. That's fine, STL.
grumpy, I didn't really have a point except that it is an odd way to phrase it. I counted over 200 diocese but I wonder why a complete and thorough examination wasn't compiled.
STL, no priests who've abused children are running for President, are they now? It does matter who Obama surrounds himself with. If you like him, vote for him, I don't care, but it is a point worth making.
Wright and Pfelger are whack jobs. There's really no other description for it. Their teachings have so little to do with the Bible that really they're just using the concept of Divine Writ as an excuse.
However, I have a hard time faulting the Obamas for taking as long as they did to leave. I've loved whack jobs. It's not a rational process. I mean, it starts out fine. You meet the crazy person (or organization) and she's interesting or fun or -- like Wright/Trinity was to President Obama -- she was there for you during a rough time. Yeah, she's a little eccentric, but who isn't? As the relationship continues you become attached, brushing off the occassional flare-ups as misunderstandings. By the time the whack-job behavior becomes more regular and starts to take on a pattern, you've already started loving her as a sister/mother/best friend. The love clouds your judgment. You tell yourself that it's just a phase, that it's just being around her mother so much, that it'll all blow over in time, and that you can love her out of it if you're patient enough. When she's not behaving erratically, she's a good friend that is all those things that drew you to her in the first place. So you basically decide to love her unconditionally because those things are good to be around. You keep making excuses. Then finally something snaps inside her (or maybe inside you) and you FINALLY see what everyone else has already saw: she's whacked. She's toxic and out-of-line and enjoys being that way. She can't or won't change. At this point you have two options: you can sever the relationship, or you can love her anyway out of pity and out of history. Sometimes you can do that for a long time, because love is a powerful emotion. God loves us even though we offend him a hundred times a day without even realizing it, and we're made in his image. We have that same capacity for forgiveness and allowance for imperfection.
Having been in the position of having a friend and a surrogate mother who were toxic like that, I do understand what the Obamas could have been thinking in relation to the Trinity Church, and I can't really find it in myself to judge them for taking so long to leave.
DragonLady
I�d sweetie to speak with that too!