Father Michael Pfleger's Next Move

On Wednesday Parishioners and supporters gathered outside of the Parish to voice their opposition to the Cardinal's decision.

CHICAGO, Il (Catholic Online) - Chicago television reports have been filled with continual coverage of the controversial priest, Father Michael Pfleger and his ongoing relationship with his parish and his Cardinal Archbishop.

The Priest was formally asked by Francis Cardinal George to take a two week leave for prayer and reflection following the National controversy which arose from his sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ.

The latest reports indicate that Father Pfleger has moved out of the Rectory and is searching for an apartment. The priest has lived in the Rectory for the thirty years that he has served at St. Sabina's Catholic Church.

Unhappy Parishioners have sought a formal meeting with the Cardinal. However, no such meeting has been set, as of yet.

According to sources there has been an exchange of letters in which the parishioners asserted that they want the controversial priest immediately returned to service.
They maintain that his absence is disruptive to the life of the Parish.

On Tuesday, June 4, 2008, Francis Cardinal George asked the priest, who, like all Clergy serves at the Bishops request, to take a two week leave. The Cardinal's Office issued a statement following the meeting between the two which read:

"To put recent events in some perspective, I have asked Father Michael Pfleger, Pastor of St. Sabina's Parish, to step back from his obligations there and take leave for a couple of weeks from his pastoral duties, effective today.
Fr. Pfleger does not believe this to be the right step at this time."

"While respecting his disagreement, I have nevertheless asked him to use this opportunity to reflect on his recent statements and actions in the light of the Church's regulations for all Catholic priests. I hope that this period will also be a time away from the public spotlight and for rest and attention to family concerns."

"I hope also that the life of St. Sabina's parish may continue in uninterrupted fashion. Fr. William Vanecko, Pastor of St. Kilian's parish, will be the temporary administrator of St. Sabina's and will assure the full complement of ministerial services during this period. I ask the members of St. Sabina's parish to cooperate with him and to keep him and Fr. Pfleger in their prayers. They are in mine."

On Wednesday Parishioners and supporters gathered outside of the Parish to voice their opposition to the Cardinal's decision.

One of the participants was Shanita Akintonde, a member of the Board of the Parish School, St. Sabina Academy. She told the Press:

"We wholly disagree with the decision of Francis Cardinal George, and we call for the immediate reinstatement of Fr. Pfleger as Pastor of the church with all of his authority."

She was joined by several other Parishioners who similarly expressed their displeasure.

A Parent of a student at the school named Nakita Jackson complained that the Cardinal's action was unmerited, "The fact that this unmerited decision has resulted in Father Pfleger not being able to attend my son's first graduation at St. Sabina is greatly troubling."

Amanda Breedlove, a parishioner at St Sabina's said "It is a feeling of being robbed. One day your family member is there, and one day they are not. I had no voice. I had no part in the decision."

The Archdiocese has said nothing beyond the Cardinals' last Statement. A spokeswoman says that there will be no further statements made.

However, she also indicated to one source that there have been "casual discussions" about a permanent transition for the controversial Priest.

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