Matt C. Abbott
Pfleger to critics: F--- you!
By Matt C. Abbott
Well, the notorious "America-bashing, Vanilla Ice-prancing, Jeremiah Wright-impersonating, Louis Farrakhan-embracing cult leader" Father Michael Pfleger — who also dissents from Catholic teaching — has essentially told his critics to f--- off.
In response to numerous complaints to the Archdiocese of Chicago from concerned Catholics regarding Pfleger's most recent scandalous words and deeds, the priest has posted the following message on his Facebook fan page:
Pfleger's activities have been documented by LifeSiteNews.com, CatholicCitizens.org and Thomas Peters, who moderates the popular "American Papist" blog.
Peters wrote (slightly edited):
Well, the notorious "America-bashing, Vanilla Ice-prancing, Jeremiah Wright-impersonating, Louis Farrakhan-embracing cult leader" Father Michael Pfleger — who also dissents from Catholic teaching — has essentially told his critics to f--- off.
In response to numerous complaints to the Archdiocese of Chicago from concerned Catholics regarding Pfleger's most recent scandalous words and deeds, the priest has posted the following message on his Facebook fan page:
Pfleger's activities have been documented by LifeSiteNews.com, CatholicCitizens.org and Thomas Peters, who moderates the popular "American Papist" blog.
Peters wrote (slightly edited):
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'Pfleger is actively undermining the authority and respect of Cardinal George among his congregation. Father, you hold your parish in trust from your archbishop. How dare you undermine him before your congregation in this public fashion? This is a textbook definition of scandal. Do you think the archdiocese won't find out?
'I guess you really did mean it when you said 'I don't need the pope, I don't need the cardinal' (1:15 in this video). Well, where do you think your priestly faculties and ordination came from?
'Next — and more to the point — is it your claim that you did not mean the public apology you wrote? Do you expect your followers to respect the fact that you did something that was so against your conscience? Were you lying to the archdiocese, or coerced? Do you realize that whatever you did, you have gravely scandalized the faithful and violated your own conscience, which you hold so dear?
'As one of the 'right-winged' who want your 'removal,' let's get down to brass tacks: How dare you use the violence done to children as a cover for your own heresy and dereliction of priestly duty. You say we are wasting your time and attention from these sacred social justice causes you champion by bringing up your anti-Catholic heretical preaching. Well, as one of my readers pointed out, if you are so focused on their plight, then why spend time in your homilies tearing down the established teaching of the Church and of Christ? If anyone is guilty of wasting our time, it is you, by your own standards.
'As a Catholic who is truly concerned about the social justice issues you claim to champion, I'm calling for your public, sincere repentance. Or, Father, show yourself the door. Christ did not die to have you lead his children astray, and the Archdiocese of Chicago has not treated you with all possible respect and deference to have you stab them in the back the way you have done.'
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'Cardinal George has allowed an honor to be bestowed on Father Michael Pfleger. Pfleger is not 'controversial.' Pfleger is an uncontrollable heretic. In the past I have seen Pfleger more in terms of a loony punchline rather than a serious problem. I have changed my mind.
'Having stupid ideas about politics is one thing, being supremely imprudent is one thing, but attacking the foundation of the priesthood from his highly visible platform is another. If Cardinal George will not remove Pfleger from his mandate as pastor, or remove his faculty to preach and say Mass publicly, then everyone should make an appeal to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to act.
'Just days after Cardinal George awarded him a lifetime achievement award, Pfleger has been caught on tape openly dissenting and teaching heresy from the pulpit during Mass! In this stunning video from a Divine Mercy Sunday homily, Pfleger openly calls for female ordination and female bishops. Pfleger says: 'That's why there should be woman priests, that's why there should be married priests, that's why there should be woman bishops and women cardinals.'
'There is a good poke in the eye for Cardinal George. The cardinal was already facing criticism for honoring Pfleger and Pfleger returned the favor by open dissent. Cardinal George cannot let this stand, especially after just conferring an award. Pfleger must be disciplined and forced to retract his statements or immeasurable harm will be done to the faith. If Pfleger teaching this heresy goes unchallenged by the cardinal, people will rightly conclude that the cardinal supports these views, after all he did just give him an award.
'Pfire Pfleger, now.
'I have had true respect for Cardinal George. I am therefore very puzzled by this situation. Pfleger is causing grave scandal to the faithful. Maintaining him in his position also causes scandal. Perhaps Pfleger thinks that removing him would cause more problems than he is presently creating because of his popularity — merited or unmerited — with the black community in Chicago.
'To leave him there does more harm. It is an offense to the black community in Chicago not to give them a better pastor, a man who is faithful to Catholic teaching and not a demagogue.
'Please, your Eminence, do something about this fellow who is mocking the priesthood, in the Year of the Priest, and mocking your authority as archbishop of Chicago.'
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