Posted on 06/01/2008 5:20:45 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sunday, Father Michael Pfleger addressed his congregation about the controversy surrounding his sermon for the first time. He told the congregation he's received more than 3,000 threatening emails – some calling for his death.
The messages caused the church to beef up security for Sunday's services, as CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports.
"YouTube and headlines and soundbites can now and have now become an instrument that creates the story rather than tells the story," said St. Sabina Church's Father Michael Pfleger.
Pfleger sounded off giving a sermon entitled "Beyond YouTube," chiding the media and the Web site, saying the clip of his sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ did not convey the meaning of his message.
"If you are not willing to withhold judgment until you gather information, then you are never going to know the real story," he said.
Sunday's mass had all of the singing and dancing of a normal Sunday mass at St. Sabina, plus Father Pfleger's first talk with his congregation since the debated sermon hit the Web.
"I apologize for the words that I chose. I apologize for my dramatization that was for many who do not know me simply typical dramatics that I use all the time in sermons," Pfleger said.
And even before heating those words, parishioners CBS 2 talked to say they're fully supporting their pastor.
"I'm with him, what he said, 100 percent," said parishioner Erma Sims said.
"I'm standing with my pastor. Because I love him and he's truthful," said parishioner Gladys Haynes.
Father Phleger told those listening he's unsure of what the future holds for him right now. He's already been in talks with Cardinal Francis George on that subject. He acknowledged the hatred that he says surrounds him right now and also recognized what he called his own imperfections.
Father Pfleger also said that the last few days have been more painful than the murder of his foster son. In addition to the sermon controversy, he says he had surgery last week and was supposed to stay in bed. Pfleger told the crown he's not racist or sexist and called on the nation to deal with those biases.
Watch the video at the link. The next video report after that is on Trinity UCC's reaction to Obama's departure.
“I apologize for the words that I chose. I apologize for my dramatization that was for many who do not know me simply typical dramatics that I use all the time in sermons,” Pfleger said.”
That was a sermon? Because I failed to notice the love of Christ anywhere in it.
Who does this guy think he's fooling? His remarks at Trinity were crystal clear, and now he' blaming Youtube because they blew up in his face? What a loser!
Whenever someone goes way overboard and essentially attacks millions of people, they always try to turn it around and pretend THEY are the ones being attacked, and they always bring up e-mailed death threats.
As if every person who ever gets into public doesn’t get an e-mailed threat once in a while. Once I had nice people suggesting it would be great if buses carrying troops home would have run me over.
What goes around, comes around you POS.
“..............simply typical dramatics that I use all the time in sermons...........”
So your sermons are embellished BS is what you’re saying?
What other meaning could anyone with above a 70 IQ attribute to this disgusting display of hate and racism.
Obama has some very, very unbalanced and hateful associates - A fact that will undoubtedly get full play in the coming months. As well it should.
Defended himself. Complained that he already apologized. Guess that’s it for him in the penance department.
Pretty sick sentiments.
That was an apology?
Exactly. He needs to be ex-communicated.
How does a Catholic priest have children, foster or otherwise? Could someone explain this to me?
Of course he isn't.
Atta boy, Mojo.....
Keep this story front and center!!!
“...more painful than the murder of his foster son.”..........Whaaaaaaat??????????? What IS going on here?
The Roman Church is short on priests, but we would still be better off without this one.
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