• President 2008

    Father Michael Pfleger Hammered by Chicago Cardinal Francis George

    Cardinal Francis George and Pope Benedict

    Pope Benedict XVI addresses the bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on the first full day of his visit to the United States April 16, 2008. At right is Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. At left is the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

    Cardinal Francis George of the Archdiocese of Chicago has HAMMERED Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina’s Catholic Church on the South Side of Chicago over his comments at Trinity United Church of Christ this past Sunday.

    “The Catholic Church does not endorse political candidates. Consequently, while a priest must speak to political issues that are also moral, he may not endorse candidates nor engage in partisan campaigning.

    “Racial issues are both political and moral and are also highly charged. Words can be differently interpreted, but Fr. Pfleger’s remarks about Senator Clinton are both partisan and amount to a personal attack. I regret that deeply.

    “To avoid months of turmoil in the church, Fr. Pfleger has promised me that he will not enter into campaigning, will not publicly mention any candidate by name and will abide by the discipline common to all catholic priests.”

    The video of Father Pfleger has gone viral on cable television and the internet.

    Father Michael Pfleger preaching at Barack Obama’s church, Trinity United, May 25, 2008

    The Clinton Campaign had the following response to Father Pfleger.

    The Clinton campaign’s communications director, Howard Wolfson, clearly thinks Obama’s rejection of Father Pfleger’s sermon was lacking.

    Wolfson says: “Divisive and hateful language like that is totally counterproductive in our efforts to bring our party together and have no place at the pulpit or in our politics. We are disappointed that Senator Obama didn’t specifically reject Father’s Pflegler’s despicable comments about Senator Clinton, and assume he will do so.”

    Senator John McCain campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a media stop when asked about those comments of Father Pfleger said the following:

    “…I have known Senator Clinton for a long time. I have always treated her with respect. She is a person that we have very different positions on alot of issues and a philosophy and I respect her. But, that kind of language and that kind of treatment of Senator Clinton is unwarranted, uncalled for and disgraceful.”

    This flap with Father Pfleger is NOT going away.

    Back over to Obama for a complete repudiation. Another Pastor and another “throw him under the bus.”

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