CHICAGO -- Often paired up with Chicago's most radical Leftist leaders such as Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan, Father Michael Pfleger was recently offered a position at a Catholic high school which he chose to refuse. He didn't do so quietly, either.
Pfleger publicly voiced his disdain and said he wanted to stay at St. Sabina's, threatening to leave the Catholic Church if he was forced against his will. Wednesday, Father Pfleger received a letter from Cardinal Francis George chastising him for his disrespectful manner, and suspending him from serving the St. Sabina flock:
"If that is truly your attitude, you have already left the Catholic Church and are therefore not able to pastor a Catholic parish," George wrote in a letter dated today.
"A Catholic priest's inner life is governed by his promises, motivated by faith and love, to live chastely as a celibate man and to obey his bishop," the cardinal continued. "Breaking either promise destroys his vocation and wounds the Church.
"Many love and admire you because of your dedication to your people."" the cardinal wrote. "Now, however, I am asking you to take a few weeks to pray over your priestly commitments in order to come to mutual agreement on how you understand personally the obligations that make you a member of the Chicago presbyterate and of the Catholic Church.
"With this letter, your ministry as pastor of Saint Sabina Parish and your sacramental faculties as a priest of the Archdiocese are suspended.
