Catholic, Pro-Life Leaders Protest Sharpton's Address to Chicago Church

Cybercast News Service ^ | February 10, 2003 | Randy Hall

[Mr. Silverback]

Rev. Al Sharpton's speech at St. Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago on Sunday, Feb. 9, attracted a standing-room-only crowd of 1,200 people, as well as sharp condemnation and protests from pro-life and Catholic leaders and groups because of Sharpton's pro-abortion views.

Sharpton was invited to speak by Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of the predominantly African-American congregation, as part of its Black History Month Celebration.

During the week before Sharpton's appearance, area Catholics flooded Francis Cardinal George, archbishop of Chicago, with angry calls and e-mails demanding that he cancel the invitation.

Late Friday afternoon, the cardinal issued a press release indicating his support for the celebration of Black History Month but stating that he did "not approve of the invitation because of the Rev. Sharpton's present political candidacy and his pro-abortion stance."

However, Cardinal George's statement concluded by saying that "making a case of this invitation at this time would be a futile gesture and a waste of effort."

Catholic and pro-life leaders expressed shock and outrage over the cardinal's refusal to cancel Sharpton's appearance.

Among those was Karl Maurer, vice president and treasurer of Catholic Citizens of Illinois, who claimed the Sharpton visit was "in violation of canon law, IRS regulations, and [the cardinal's] own diocesan policy on pro-abortion speakers."

Chicago parishioner Tina Mahar left several messages with the archdiocese and received no response. "This is a clear violation of canon law," noted Mahar. "Al Sharpton should not be speaking at any time in any Catholic Church!"

Mary Anne Hackett, president of Catholic Citizens of Illinois, was also disappointed. "We want this pro-abortion preaching in our Catholic churches to stop. It is already 30 years late."

Also disturbed by the cardinal's lack of action was Judie Brown, president of the pro-life American Life League (ALL).

"This man - Rev. Sharpton - is one of the strongest advocates for abortion in the entire country," Brown said, "and Cardinal George is supposed to be one of the strongest proponents for respect for human life from conception in the country. And one man exercised gall, in my opinion, to even show up at a Catholic Church, while the cardinal should have acted immediately to say: 'No, that man will not be in that church.'"

Chicago-based Friends of the Unborn (FOTU) issued a press release critical of Sharpton's abortion record. "He was honored by NARAL Pro-Choice America at their Washington, D.C., 'celebration' of the Roe vs. Wade (anniversary) in January." The release also noted that Sharpton responded to pro-life protesters at that event by saying that he normally did not cross picket lines but was happy to cross the pro-lifers' line.

The FOTU release went on to list some statistics on abortions. "Black Americans make up 13 percent of the population, yet 33 percent of abortions are performed on black women. These numbers are tantamount to genocide, and the leaders in the black community should be up in arms."

'Love Me 'Til I Die'

On Sunday morning, the event drew approximately 20 protestors. Church ushers initially told the demonstrators to leave, but the protesters reminded them they were on public property and had a First Amendment right to free speech. The police were then called, but the officers concurred that the protestors had a right to picket Sharpton's visit. Ushers remained outside, as did the police, while the demonstrators handed out hundreds of pro-life handbills to parishioners arriving for the morning service.

Initially, Pfleger's introduction of Sharpton centered on the protestors outside.

"Let me say first to all those protesting outside," said Pfleger, "Welcome. I'd love to have them come in and hear Rev. Sharpton." With parishoners applauding, Pfleger then asked ushers to go outside and invite the protestors in. None accepted the invitation.

Pfleger also referred to "hundreds" of e-mails and calls he received "of hate and threats" but said he loved those people anyway, adding that those who sent the messages "are going to have to answer for that some day.

"I also know that if Martin Luther King was alive today and going to speak," said Pfleger, "they would oppose him, too."

Pfleger affirmed that he was pro-life but said his concern was not just "in the womb, it's in the classroom and the boardroom. You gotta take care of them after they come into the world, 'til they leave the world."

Like Pfleger, Sharpton began his remarks by acknowledging the pro-life protest.

"We may be on different sides of the pro-life/pro-choice question, but one thing we can agree on is that it is a sin not to love me after I'm here and not to love me 'til I die."

Sharpton was bitterly critical of George W. Bush's foreign and domestic policies, and he even accused Bush's father, George H. W. Bush, of ignoring domestic problems and waging a war with Iraq that few in America wanted.

He also accused the current president of taking advantage of "preferences" to get into college, due to his influential family, yet attempting to deny blacks the same advantage. President Bush recently spoke out against the University of Michigan for using racial quotas to determine the composition of its student population.

About the elusive, perhaps dead, Osama bin Laden, Sharpton said: "Explain to me why the CIA with all the pictures they take can't find one criminal in Baghdad!"

It wasn't long before the Sharpton controversy drew considerable media attention. The speech and the accompanying protest made front-page news in several Chicago area newspapers, and local affiliates of most major television networks provided extensive coverage of the event.

[Mr. Silverback]

Pfleger also referred to "hundreds" of e-mails and calls he received "of hate and threats"

Yeah, sure.

"I also know that if Martin Luther King was alive today and going to speak," said Pfleger, "they would oppose him, too."

If he believes this, he needs a tinfoil hat to complete his ensemble.

not just "in the womb, it's in the classroom and the boardroom. You gotta take care of them after they come into the world, 'til they leave the world."

Ah, so the way to make the lives of minority children better is to embrace a race-baiting, riot-inciting, poverty-pimping, slanderous abortion enthusiast. To quote Bill Cosby, "Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight."

Maggie's devoted acolytes continue their work...

BTW, there are going to be a couple of ladies wanting some explanations from this congregation...Saint Sabina was martyred during the Hadrian persecution. Another famous Sabina was Sabina Wurmbrand, who suffered for years in Romanian prisons in the 1950s and 60s for her work with her husband Richard in the underground church. Together they founded Voice of the Martyrs. They died with a few months of each other in 2000.

The Wurmbrands

[Mr. Silverback]

The drought is over!

ProLife Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[MEGoody]

I'm glad to see there are Cathlics, out there who are not afraid to stand up to church leadership when they are so obviously wrong.

[nothingnew]

Rev. Michael Pfleger

Is that pronouced "phlegm"?

FMCDH

[SwinneySwitch]

"About the elusive, perhaps dead, Osama bin Laden, Sharpton said: "Explain to me why the CIA with all the pictures they take can't find one criminal in Baghdad!"

Ghost images are often faint and very hard to photograph, reverend!

[Revelation 911]

"We may be on different sides of the pro-life/pro-choice question, but one thing we can agree on is that it is a sin not to love me after I'm here and not to love me 'til I die."

Thats odd - God allows me and every other Christian to actually HATE all things evil.

I doubt hes ever read Evangelium Vitae

[Arthur McGowan]

..."making a case of this invitation at this time would be a futile gesture and a waste of effort."

Seems as though Cardinal George is in the midst of some grave health crisis that makes him too feeble to make the effort to pick up a phone (or have someone hold a phone to the side of his head) and speak these words into the phone: "Father Pfleger, you are suspended." I hope Cardinal George recovers his strength soon, so that he will once again be able to walk, feed himself, and use a telephone. Does someone have the name and address of the Intensive Care Unit or nursing home where Cardinal George is staying until he recovers his strength?

[Conspiracy Guy]

I believe Al is a strong case for Pro-Choice, too bad his mamma made the wrong one.

[nofriendofbills]

What H.E. +George needs is a spine implant.

[mhking]

Al Hairdo and Father Flakey alert!

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[WomanofStandard]

The release also noted that Sharpton responded to pro-life protesters at that event by saying that he normally did not cross picket lines but was happy to cross the pro-lifers' line.

Boy is he crass! He enters a Catholic church and tells it's parishioners that he "takes pleasure" in going against their beliefs! Good Lord, have mercy. His soul needs it!

The FOTU release went on to list some statistics on abortions. "Black Americans make up 13 percent of the population, yet 33 percent of abortions are performed on black women. These numbers are tantamount to genocide, and the leaders in the black community should be up in arms."

Yeah but Sharpton would see this as a good thing for black women. He feels getting rid of a baby they are too poor to raise is a GOOD thing.

Pfleger also referred to "hundreds" of e-mails and calls he received "of hate and threats" but said he loved those people anyway, adding that those who sent the messages "are going to have to answer for that some day.

I can't comment on the messages of hatred he got because I've not been privy to them but apparently this guy does not think he willl "have to answer" for his sin of letting a pro-abortionist and enemy of Christ speak from the pulpit. Another in need of God's mercy. (as am I)

"I also know that if Martin Luther King was alive today and going to speak," said Pfleger, "they would oppose him, too."

I's like to know on what grounds? He's making an accusation against the protestors on a hypothetical without even giving a position of MLK's that one might object to. Ludicrous!

Pfleger affirmed that he was pro-life but said his concern was not just "in the womb, it's in the classroom and the boardroom. You gotta take care of them after they come into the world, 'til they leave the world."

While it is important to minister to and help the poor (not short term but long term as well by equipping them to succeed on their own)I think it's more important to make sure they make it into this world in the first place!

Big government spending is not going to help the poor but is going to hurt our society, crippling it all the more. Reasonable governement programs that encourage and equip for the working arena is fine and good for the governmental role. The real responsibility for attending to the poor though lies with the church (catholic and other denominations as well) according to the scriptures.

I vote according to Matthew 18 where it says to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things (in the proceeding verses "these things" are listed as food, drink, physical provisions in general)will be added unto me. I'm all for a good fiscal policy, but when it comes to casting that vote I'm voting for the canidate who stands for the things God advocates, eternal kingdom things that won't pass away such as LIFE, relationship, etc. If my heart stays true to those things, then God promises me I will be taken care of for the physical living needs, by His hand. They "will be added unto me".

He also accused the current president of taking advantage of "preferences" to get into college, due to his influential family, yet attempting to deny blacks the same advantage.

Talk about spin! President Bush made it into Yale, I believe it was, WITHOUT ANY "preferences". The "preference" Sharpton is referencing is the ONE POINT GWB got on his college application for being the son of an alumni. NO one can reasonalbly claim that anyone got preference admission into a college by ONE point! But, we all know Sharpton is not reasonable. BTW, Blacks get 20 points on their application just for being black.

[attagirl]

I don't understand why there were only 20 protesters--in addition to all the other things that were done wrong by inviting this man. To think that he was given the pulpit IN FRONT OF THE TABERNACLE is an outrage.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Greetings Mr. Silverback, FReepers, et al:

Father Flakey is losing has lost touch with reality.

With all the positive role models Fr. Flakey could have chose from, he invites anti-life, anti-responsibility, anti-Semitic Sharkey Sharpton. Did someone say ludicrous? We might see Fr. Flakey invite gangsta-punk Ludicrous next.

Good job for the good folks who protested the presence of Sharpton; IMHO, the ultimate symbol for what is wrong with society.

[spintreebob]

What makes you think they have a tabernacle?

I'ts been a year since I was in St Sabina's. But I don't remember seeing one. They are quite scarce in some Chicago area churches.

[Arthur McGowan]

"I also know that if Martin Luther King was alive today and going to speak," said Pfleger, "they would oppose him, too."

King was pro-abortion, but this was not a public issue while he was alive. Pfleger is slyly accusing the pro-lifers of racism.

[patj]

Ok, so the good cardinal can't/won't do anything about this. Then I am sure that he and this priest will have no qualms about inviting President Bush to speak there. After all, he is a presidential candidate as well.

[Arthur McGowan]

Pfleger is one of thousands of priests who do not believe in the supernatural. Therefore, they cannot conceive of their role as public persons as having any purpose if they don't exploit it further overt political goals, which they dress up as "justice," and "peace," etc. Of course, they are the first to claim that "the life issueS" are many, many issues other than abortion. The number of Republican priests who have thrown over their supernatural role in favor of political action in the past century is about two, at the most. The number of Democrat priests who have done this is in the thousands.

[virgil]

Sharpton has freedom of speech out in the street with the rest of the scum, scale and greasy dirt, but not inside the church. Cardinal George should tell Mayor Richie Daley as much also and maybe excommunicate the whiny little jerk while he's at it.

[Kuksool]

Father Flakey is just a shill for liberalism. Flakey defines being "pro-life" as being in favor of gun control, living wage, and banning tobacco products. Also 4 years ago, he defended Bill Clinton's affair with Monica in a Sunday Sermon. I wonder if he is on the Democratic Party's payroll.

[Polycarp]

Paging the Catholic Caucus...