Carol Marin weepily tells us in the Sun-Times that the worst part of Fr. Pfleger’s spiteful rant at Trinity United Church was that it might hurt Obama’s campaign. Not that he is generally wrong, or vile, or speaks hatefully from the Pulpit. The real problem is that people may not vote for Obama.
Mark Brown, also in the Sun-Times, makes a more valid point stating that:
"Wright and Pfleger situations is that both of them pretty much got in trouble for talking the way they usually talk. That's why both of them seem to have been caught by surprise to have their words thrown back at them in a negative light after being shown to a national audience"Brown doesn’t think anyone would have noticed if Pfleger spit his venom in favor of John Kerry, rather than Sen. Obama. Probably true, as the media has hushed up reporting on the nastiness of the radical Left for years. Yet, there is something powerful about the Internet and YouTube superseding the mainstream media. The miscreant team that built Sen. Obama’s campaign is out there in public view compliments of the very tools we were told would favor the “Web 2.0 candidate”.
A blogger named The Prairie Pundit tells us that Pfleger “is trying to build attention for his regular service” via his rant. Additionally it is very likely that Fr. Pfleger actually believes that radical Marxism is a valid economic path for the country and being vicious and threatening on the altar is his calling in life, as he has a 30 year track record of such preaching.
Gregory Tejeda shows a profound confusion of the catechism on his blog The Chicago Argus. Tejeda equates the Fr. Pfleger’s partisan politics with the moral teachings of the Catholic Church on such issues as advocating life. Tejeda tells us that “Pfleger is just reflecting the views of his parishioners – which is what a priest is supposed to do”, which would get him flunked out of 2nd grade CCD class. So Gregory, if all the kids are stealing candy, should the Priest also steal candy because his is “just reflecting the views of his parishioners”.
Tejeda also wants the Catholic Church to stop enforcing its own rules, so that Catholic politicians defying the Catechism, The Vatican, the Catholic Bishops, and the Local Catholic Priests must still be considered in communion with the Catholic Church. I think it is a good question to ask, why, if you disagree with the entire hierarchy of the Catholic Church and its teachings would you want to be a Catholic anyway? Nevertheless, Tejeda has it “Perhaps the church should be trying to encourage its members to look beyond prejudices” implying that we must be prejudiced if we do not support his favorite Leftist candidate, even if that candidate has a litany of anti-church soical policies.
Maya Brachear, in what is becoming a commonplace Tribune column for her, thinks that no matter where a candidate goes there is bound to be a commotion from the radical preacher, and she has the word of the president of the United Church of Christ who “expressed sorrow and sympathy for Obama and other candidates who wish to worship in today’s highly charged political climate” to back her up. No matter that a great majority of preaching in the any number of Christian churches is pretty much centered on Christ and not on politics. Much like Schrodinger theorized that a cat in a dark room may not exist unless there is light to view the feline, Maya thinks that crazed political rants are the norm of preaching, just waiting for media exposure.
The Trib also scolds Fr. Pfleger in an editorial, stating ”
His words at Trinity showed an astounding lack of decency and good sense. It wasn’t a homily. It was a mocking, self-serving screed.” Pretty harsh words from a newspaper that did not have enough room to publish Fr. Pfleger’s death threats last summer. Perhaps if the Tribune would do a more responsible job in reporting on the actual deeds and words of Fr. Pfleger, we would never get to the point where violent radicals are accepted as respectable members of society.Yael says:
I believe the point gets lost about Wright and Pfleger concerning Obama. The point is, we can all see the congregation and their response, their attitude. This tells us the general attitude within the church. Pfleger has been preaching his style of rhetoric for 30 years so Trinity knew who he was when they invited him. Not only that, but the reception he received in his diatribe was enthusiastic, to say the least. -Reverend Wright has been preaching in his particular style with his particular message for even longer. Obama and his family have been a member of this almost twenty years. How can he possibly expect Americans to believe that he and Michelle were unaware of this sentiment??? It is an utterly insane premise.
His political expediency in taking down Wright, and now leaving Trinity bring even more questions about him.
John Powers says:
Linda,
I'll suggest that making death threats should get you thrown off panel discussion on ABC for a year.
JBP
Pat Hickey says:
I expect to hear nothing from the Office of Racial Justice Despite their stated Mission:
MISSION:
The core mission of the Office is to address the sin of racism by providing parishes and schools with the tools to initiate and enhance their efforts to combat racism. Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., established the Office for Racial Justice July 1, 2000. The Office is a direct outgrowth from the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Task Force on Racism as a response to the beating of Lenard Clark in 1997.
The Archdiocese of Chicago will
Acknowledge that racism is a sin that has created a racist society in which the dominant culture benefits.
Encourage Catholic to search their own hearts on the questions of how the sin of racism has touched them.
Guide parishes to proclaim the gospel message that stresses our unity, and design pastoral responses that will help combat the sin of racism.
Create educational opportunities in schools and parishes that will uncover the truth about racism in America and in our local communities while providing the means to bring about healing.
Stimulate church involvement in community initiatives addressing issues of racial justice.
Initiatives are driven by three principles:
A call to change attitudes and behaviors that will lead to a conversion of heart and reconciliation among peoples of every ethnic and cultural background.
A commitment to take concrete, visible steps to dismantle personal and systemic racism.
To witness through our lives and actions the unconditional love of God for all human beings regardless of their racial, religious, or national origin.
This recommendation is made the understanding that the archdiocese must combat racism in a manner consistent with the mission of the local church. Accordingly, we see that this commitment connects integrally with the Archdiocese's evangelization efforts in the new millennium.
Sister Anita Baird only issues statements that insult white Catholics - which is what Pastor Pfleger did and does.
linda in cincinnati says:
Who are the respectable members of society? American society no longer embraces a recognizable standard of speak or action but we do know how to point out the lack thereof. This is truly a conundrum.