Father Phleger the priest who made remarks that ignited a firestorm that was followed by Barack Obama quiting his long time church has been suspended by the Chicago Arch-Diocese for two weeks. This is to give him time to reflect on the offensive comments that he made regarding Hillary Clinton.
I do personally think that this was a wise move by the Church. It gives him time to reflect and it also gives time for things to cool down. According to reports Father Phleger does not agree with the decision. Reports also indicate that thousands of death threats have been made against him. People who react this way only make things worse. This should be used as a time to heal and learn from the mistakes made.
I truly think that Father Phleger can be used for the good of God and his Church. While I personally am not into his preaching style, I do think that it is effective with many people. From what I have read he has turned around his parish, which is now thriving. He needs to not let human pride get in the way of the mission of the Church. He should focus his efforts on social issues, such as feeding the poor and protecting the unborn.
Please pray for Father Phleger.
You cannot be Catholic and be pro-choice or even vote for anyone who has a record for voting for abortion. Catholics learn your catechism.
FATHER PFLEGER HAS GOT TO GO. I WOULD SAY HE NEEDS MENTAL HEALTH HELP BUT HE HAS BE AT IT FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW! HE MIGHT HAVE DONE GOOD IN HIS COMMUNITY BUT STILL THAT DOES NOT GIVE HIM THE RIGHT TO SAY AND DO WHATEVER HE WANTS AND YET BE A MEMBER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Don’t get me wrong, I thought what Father Pleger said was inappropriate and I think that he needs to stick with Church teaching and stay out of the political arena. I think that his talents could be used in a better manner. I trust the judgement of the Church in how they choose to deal with him. As a Catholic, I do think forgiveness would be the best path if at all possible and some good could come from this sad situation.
CD,
I am glad you have trust in how the Catholic Church handles things, I do not. I moved away from the church because I did not like how they handled the sex-abuse issues and after our Holy Father’s visit stateside I felt pleased with how he addressed the sex-abuse issue, however, if this Father Pfleger is not addressed in a more appropriate way I will be very disappointed in the church. Father Phleger needs more than just a wrist-slap. Grant it – they say he did good work in his community but – hey hey hey he has got to GO!
DianeJ,
I am saddened that you feel that way about the Church and have left it. Most Catholics were ashamed by the actions of a minority of the Priests and how they were mishandled by some of the Bishops. I however, think we are dealing with apples and oranges with Father Phleger and sex abuse crisis. If Father Phleger continues to disregard the teachings of the Church and behaves in the way he has in the past, I do believe the Church should further discipline him. If he shows genuine sorrow for his actions and steps inline with Church teaching, then I do not have a problem with forgiveness. Being a Catholic, we must forgive if that is the case. I just want to be clear that I am a conservative leaning Catholic and do not approve of what was said.
I do find it interesting that you still care about what the Church does even though you have left it. When I left the Church, I could care less about what it did. I do pray that you can move on from your hurt from what some in the Church did in the past and maybe one day come home.
Father Phleger is very passionate about the community that shepards over and not many can say that now.. I am Catholic and when in the area attend that church. For the person that said he needs to focus on social issues, you really don’t know him! He is very focused on that.. the church is opened it’s doors over the weekend in an effort to give children a place to go rather than being in the “streets” He advocates and marches w/ his faith community against violence, drugs, and social justices for elderly and all others. Please don’t mistake his passion for pride, his is the most humble man, I know and I won’t ask him to change a thing.
Jesse,
I am curious how he can so closely support a politician that supports abortion considering that abortion contradicts Church teaching. Does Father Phleger preach against abortion?
The point I was making about Father Phleger is that he does not need to resort to name calling and dirty himself and the Church with it. It is not the type of press the Church needs and he should be a little more responsible. I have no problem with Father Phleger if he upholds the teaching of the Church, but if he thinks he is above the official teachings of the Church, then I do have a problem.
Thanks for posting and God Bless
Chris
Can’t anyone in the church shut this vicious man’s mouth??????
The good father is a terrorist at heart. He also approves and supports abortion, that is perticipating in the evil of abortion. His Bishop failed remove him because the Bishop feared the black commmunity would believe he is a racist. Even the U.S. Bishops turned their back on the unborn. “It’s matter of conscience” who you vote for. They know voting for Obama is perticipating in the act of abortion, but they were to worried about being called racist because Obama is black. Fleger and the Bishops will one day have to face the the 3000 babies who die each day through the evil of abortion. No, social justice is not more important than life, from conception to natural death. May God have mercy on their souls.