Card. George Refuses to Stop Pro-Abort Al Sharpton from Appearing at St. Sabina's

Catholic Citizesn of Illinois ^

[provakatuer]

By Karl Maurer, Vice President and Treasurer

Chicago Catholics are reacting with anger and shock over a press release by Cardinal George late Friday afternoon.

The release reads as follows:

"Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., learned from the news media that the Rev. Al Sharpton has been invited to speak at St. Sabina's on February 9 in the course of celebrating Black History Month. The Cardinal supports the celebration but does not approve of the invitation because of the Rev. Sharpton's present political candidacy and his pro-abortion stance."

"Since the homily at Mass is a liturgical action, the homilist is to be a bishop, priest or deacon. This is the normal sacramental discipline of the Catholic Church. Archdiocesan policy also respects the civil internal revenue laws prohibiting direct political campaigning during a worship service."

"The Cardinal believes, however, that making a case of this invitation at this time would be a futile gesture and a waste of effort."

Rev. Michael Pfleger, the pastor at Roman Catholic St. Sabina's on Chicago's south side had scheduled Rev. Al Sharpton to preach at St. Sabina Church Sunday, which was reported by Irv 'Kup' Kupcinet in the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday Feb. 4 and also Sun-Times religion writer Cathleen Falsani on Tues. Feb. 5.

Rev. Sharpton, who has declared himself to be a presidential candidate in the upcoming Democratic primary, is a Pentecostal minister ordained at age 10 in 1964.

In addition to Al Sharpton, black-focused academic Cornel West, a self described Marxist, will speak at St. Sabina Friday Friday Feb. 7.

In an interview with Falsani, Fr. Pfleger indicated that Sharptor and West were not expected "to contradict [parishioners'] beliefs as Christians." They are to "cause [them] to think out of the box, ask the difficult questions and wrestle with the answers."

The two were allegedly invited to publicize "poverty and homelessness and racism and health care," which are "on the backburner [and are] not even being addressed" because Americans are "obsessed with . . . overseas terrorism [and have] ignored the terrorisms we had here long before Sept. 11."

Earlier this week, Jim Bowman of Blithe-spirit.com reported, "Rev. Sharpton, who supports the right to abort a baby, has a checkered past. He gained national fame when he vigorously espoused the cause of a New York woman who falsely claimed that some policemen had raped her and has never admitted he was wrong."

Sharpton told Falsani during her interview with him that this was his first time preaching in a Catholic church. "The comfort," however, "is that Father Pfleger is a different kind of a Catholic priest," he said. Different, indeed.

During the activities in Washington DC on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, Sharpton appeared at several events sponsored by pro-abortion groups, and indicated his support for abortion on demand and the so-called "woman's right to choose."

Fr. Pfleger has given his pulpit to other pro-abortion speakers, including singer Harry Belafonte on Sunday 1/20, when Belafonte chastized Bush for being pro-life and threatening a "woman's right to an abortion."

Pfleger has also several times hosted Black muslim firebrand Louis Farrakhan, ridiculer of the Pope and castigator of Judaism as "a gutter religion."

Canon Law in the Catholc Church prohibits any person who is not a bishop, priest or deacon of the Catholic Church to preach during Mass, specifically precluding Sharpton from speaking, and putting Father Pfleger in direct violation of Catholic Church regulations. Cardinal George's press release today curiously excluded any mention of this obvious breach in Church law, which Pfleger has committed several times, evidently with little fear of reprisal or disciplining.

The appearances of Sharpton, Belafonte and Farrakhan aren't the first times anti-Catholic speakers have been welcomed to use Catholic pulpits to disseminate their un-Catholic views.

In 2000, The United Power for Action and Justice held a rally at St. Alexander's in Palos Heights, Illinois where several pro-abortion speakers, including then State Senator Lisa Madigan, spoke in favor of health care reform legislation that actually included provisions for abortions. Speakers at that meeting also campaigned for increases in welfare spending, and encouraged attendees to vote against politicians who objected to welfare programs. Palos Heights resident and Roman Catholic State Senator Patrick O'Malley, upon hearing of the meeting, took his concerns directly to the Cardinal.

In a meeting with the Cardinal George, Senator O'Malley indicated his support for policies reported to be in use in Pennsylvania, which made then Gov. Tom Ridge (a 'pro-choice' Catholic) ineligible to discuss public policy on property under the control of the Bishop.

"Cardinal George's response," stated Senator O'Malley, "was that he was familiar with the Bishop in question, that he held him in high regard, and the policy in our diocese was much the same as the policy described in the news article. Cardinal George also informed me that local pastors were bound to enforce the rule, and further, they were obligated to know who was a pro-life official and who was not."

Local Catholics have responded to Cardinal George's decision with bitter disappointment.

Chicago Archdiocese parishioner Tina Mahar left several messages with the Archdiocese and recieved no response. "This is a clear violation of Canon Law," noted Mahar. "Al Sharpton should not be speaking ANY time in ANY Catholic Church!"

Bill Beckman, also a Roman Catholic and Executive Director of Illinois Right to Life was equally outraged. In a letter to Cardinal George, Beckman pointed out that Pfleger's conduct was clearing in contradition to the policies the Cardinal had assured Senator O'Malley were in place. "This subject was raised previously," said Beckman.

Beckman went on ask who was running the Archdiocese, George or Pfleger? "Who is in charge of whom? What is so difficult about requiring that Al Sharpton appear in the parish hall AFTER Mass, consistent with norms you cite? How can that be a "futile gesture and a waste of effort'?"

Mary Anne Hackett, President of Catholic Citizens of Illinois, was also disappointed. "The comment, “this is a futile gesture and a waste of effort” is outrageous," said Mary Anne Hackett, President of Catholic Citizens of Illinois. "I can only hope that Cardinal George has been misquoted. But I can tell you for every baby killed because of Al Sharton’s position on abortion, it is not a waste of effort. For every Catholic pro-lifer who expects some moral leadership from the Church, it is not a waste of effort. For every Catholic pro-abortion politician headed for Hell, it is not a waste of effort. We want this pro-abortion preaching in our Catholic Churches to stop. It is already 30 years late."

The Illinois Leader (www.illinoisleader.com) has reported that a protest has been planned outside of St. Sabina's on Sunday morning at 10:30AM. St. Sabina's is located at 1210 West 78th Place Chicago, Illinois 60620 (one block north of 79th and Racine.) Oddly enough, calls to the Archdiocesen Pro-Life Office on Friday afternoon confirmed there was going to be a protest at St. Sabina's, and that representitives of the Pro-Life office intended to participate in the protest!

Cardinal George has spoken out strongly against abortion in the past, and was highly visible in Washington DC during the Roe vs. Wade anniversary. Hundreds of a pro-life activists from Illinois visited Washington, and were warmly welcomed by Cardinal George at several pro-life events.

Father Pfleger has been a thorn in the side of the chancery for several years. His recent conduct is a continuation of past outrageous acts in defiance of Roman Catholic Church authority. Some Catholics have speculated that Father Pfleger is trying to force a showdown with Cardinal George, who has already suggested that Father Pfleger consider leaving the Catholic priesthood based on his apparent disdain for Catholic teaching and norms.

Maybe by Monday morning, that will have happened.

[provakatuer]

We have pro-abortion Catholic politicians, because we have Bishops who do nothing to stop them, or any other pro-aborts.

[ultima ratio]

Notice how these bishops and cardinals place political correctness ahead of the faith. They do this with the gay issue as well. Their real religion is liberalism. The Catholic faith comes second.

[NYer]

"The Cardinal believes, however, that making a case of this invitation at this time would be a futile gesture and a waste of effort."

Time to freep the cardinal ....

For General Inquiries:
Archdiocese of Chicago
155 E. Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60611
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Apparently Fr. Pfleger is no stranger to controversy. The following story appeared in The Black Electorate news magazine.

The majority vote of the Southside Catholic Conference to deny the entrance of a Black Catholic Church, St. Sabina, into its youth sports league on grounds that its neighborhood is too dangerous to play in has sparked a heated discussion in Chicago over faith and race. At the center of the controversy is Rev. Michael Pfleger, the White pastor of St. Sabina's who, for years, has challenged the Catholic Church to become more responsive to racism, and a man who has a very unique relationship with Nation Of Islam Leader Minister Louis Farrakhan.

There is a growing number of conservative black politicians who can speak intelligibly and responsibly, providing a more balanced view, especially during Black History Month.

[heyheyhey]

Time to freep the cardinal ....

I would be more careful. You may unwittingly join the side of the enemies of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal George is one of the finest and the most orthodox bishops in the US.

I recommend reading his bi-weekly columns in the Catholic New World.
Chicago isn't exactly a Boston, but there are very many comparable problems there with disobedient and unorthodox clergy.

Please see SHARPTON'S ST. SABINA VISIT UPSETS CARDINAL in today's paper.

[heyheyhey]

The pastor at St. Sabina is the one who invited Al Sharpton. On March 30, 2000 Zenit wrote about Fr. Michael Pfleger,

CHICAGO PRIEST PAYS PROSTITUTES TO LISTEN TO GOSPEL
Parishioners Enthusiastically Support Program

CHICAGO, MAR 30 (ZENIT).- Fr. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina's Parish in Chicago has come up with a novel method of bringing the Gospel to women victimized by prostitution. He is paying them to listen to the Gospel.

"We want to buy their time, whether it's for 10 minutes or 30 minutes, whatever it takes," he stated. "If you're selling yourself on the street, you're not in a relationship with God. Obviously there's something missing, something out of whack with their lives; I'm not afraid to make that assumption."

Fr. Pfleger has gained attention in the past by his protests against the Jerry Springer Show and against the marketing of alcohol and tobacco to teenagers. However, he assures confidentiality in this program, whose outreach times will not be publicized, so as to protect the prostitutes from the intrusive eyes of the media.

He told the Chicago Tribune that parishioners "ran out of the pews and started bringing money and placing it on the altar," when he announced the plan during a Sunday Mass. This outreach fits in as part of the Archdiocesan evangelization program, which will start next month.

"It's time to start being the Church in reality, besides having church on Sunday mornings," stated Fr. Pfleger. "We've forgotten that our call is to go outside of the Church."

[heyheyhey]

Another piece of information about Fr. Pfleger from his parish website,

http://www.saintsabina.org/outreach/billbrd.htm

[Dionysius]

The real Roman Catholic Church was flushed down the toilet of Vaican II. I'm not sure of what entity George is a representative.

[heyheyhey]

Pro-Abortion "Reverend" Al Sharpton to Speak at St. Sabina's in Chicago
Catholic Citizens of Illinois ^ | 2/5/2003 | Jim Bowman

Posted on 02/06/2003 6:55 AM PST by provakatuer

[Land of the Irish]

Cardinal George is one of the finest and the most orthodox bishops in the US.

Yeah, tell us about "orthodox".

Jim Dwyer, chief spokesman for the cardinal, said George decided to issue the statement regarding Sharpton's appearance after his office was flooded with complaining calls and e-mails.

But the cardinal isn't demanding that the invitation, made by the Rev. Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina's pastor, be rescinded because "making a case of this invitation at this time would be a futile gesture and a waste of effort," the statement said.

[heyheyhey]

Yeah, tell us about "orthodox".

I was talking about orthodoxy in the Roman Catholic Church :-)

To learn why getting into the St. Sabina mess would be a futile gesture and a waste of effort read the following 2001 articles,

The Cardinal's Statemnt on St. Sabina

Bishop's Reflections on the St. Sabina Controversy

MALIK MIAH's [whoever that is...] reflections on St. Sabina

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

I emailed the Archdiocese on Thursday and predicted that George would do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about Pfleger. The way to get the Cardinals' attention is to have the collection basket go empty beginning this weekend throughout the Archdiocese. Place notes of explanation inside the offertory envelope in lieu of cash/check. Instead, Chicago Catholics should send their money to EWTN or Priests for Life or some other Catholic organization that understands what being Catholic means.

Saint Athanasius was right.

[Land of the Irish]

Your links have nothing to do with the issue:

A non-Catholic, pro-death presidenial candidate is invited into a Catholic church, by a Catholic priest, to tell the parishoners to "think outside the box".

What will Francis George do?...........Nothing!


1 posted on 02/05/2003 9:47 PM CST by Land of the Irish

[Land of the Irish]

If you're talking about race issues: has Rev. Michael Pfleger ever invited Alan Keyes, a Catholic, pro-life former presidential candidate to speak to his congregration?

[ELS]

Actions speak louder than words.

Canon Law in the Catholic Church prohibits any person who is not a bishop, priest or deacon of the Catholic Church to preach during Mass, specifically precluding Sharpton from speaking, and putting Father Pfleger in direct violation of Catholic Church regulations. Cardinal George's press release today curiously excluded any mention of this obvious breach in Church law, which Pfleger has committed several times, evidently with little fear of reprisal or disciplining.

Do orthodox bishops allow flagrant violations of Canon Law by clerics who clearly dissent from Church teachings to occur without any disciplinary consequences?

Why are heretics allowed to run rampant in most archdioceses while faithful, practicing Catholics are either ignored or walked all over?

[St.Chuck]

Thanks for the links. St. Sabina and Fr. Pfleger are certainly complex issues. Was surprised to learn that Fr. Pfleger is an adoptive father. Have been listening to what he says in his sermon. No surprise that he would invite Al Sharpton to visit.

[St.Chuck]

Fr. Pfleger has one foot in schism....in his last sermon he actually challenges the pope and the cardinal to remove him from this church.

[heyheyhey]

IMO, the heart of the problem is the enormous size of archdioceses like LA, Chicago, Boston. You may have the best bishop on earth put in charge of it and physically not being able to oversee all properly.

[heyheyhey]

Fr. Pfleger needs to be freepped and not the Cardinal. Pfleger is otherwise a good man and could be a very good priest if he were obedient to the teachings and the authority of the Church.

His example shows the confusion among some clergymen that the "social justice" issues are separated from and placed above the pro-life issues. Somehow they don't see the obvious connection.

[St.Chuck]

You may have the best bishop on earth put in charge of it and physically not being able to oversee all properly.

I was hoping that auxiliary bishops were assigned to help out in that regard.

[heyheyhey]

Instead, Chicago Catholics should send their money to EWTN or Priests for Life or some other Catholic organization that understands what being Catholic means.

Cardinal George is very much pro-life and at the top of the NOW's and Planned Parenthood's black lists.

Every January he travels to DC to participate in the March for Life.