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	Chicago Parish Protests Cardinal's Decision to Remove Pfleger Fox News June 3, 2008 http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/03/cardinal-removes-pfleger-from-chicago-parish/ The decision to remove Father Michael Pfleger, the Catholic priest who berated Hillary Clinton from the floor of Barack Obama's former church, has drawn criticism from members of St. Sabina Church where Pfleger is the pastor. St. Sabina President Gerald Stewart said members of the church "wholeheartedly disagree" with Cardinal Francis George's decision and "respectfully request" that Pfleger be reinstated because of the significant impact he has had on the Chicago community. Cardinal Francis George, the Archbishop of Chicago, announced Tuesday that Pfleger was to be removed from his post, at least temporarily. "To put recent events in some perspective, I have asked Father Michael Pfleger, Pastor of St. Sabina's Parish, to step back from his obligations there and take leave for a couple of weeks from his pastoral duties, effective today," Cardinal George said in a statement. "Fr. Pfleger does not believe this to be the right step at this time. While respecting his disagreement, I have nevertheless asked him to use this opportunity to reflect on his recent statements and actions in the light of the church's regulations for all Catholic priests. I hope that this period will also be a time away from the public spotlight and for rest and attention to family concerns," George said, adding that Pfleger is in his prayers. Pfleger mimicked Clinton while delivering a guest sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ two Sundays ago. During the sermon, Pfleger, who is white, mocked Clinton for getting choked up on camera before the New Hampshire primary in January. "When Hillary was crying … I really don't believe it was put on. I really believe that she just always thought 'This is mine. I'm Bill's wife. I'm white. And this is mine'," he said, shouting at times. "Then out of nowhere came, 'Hey I'm Barack Obama'. And she said, 'Oh damn! Where did you come from? I'm white! I'm entitled! There's a black man stealing my show!'" After that, he simulated Clinton crying and said: "She wasn't the only one crying. There was a whole lot of white people crying … I'm sorry. I don't wanna get you in any more trouble. The live streaming just went out again." Trinity United is no stranger to controversy. Its newly retired pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, caused considerable embarrassment to Obama — a member of the church for 20 years — when Wright's anti-American tirades were broadcast on the Internet. In them, he blamed the U.S. government for giving HIV/AIDS to the black community and claimed the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks were deserved for American terrorism abroad. Wright attended Tuesday night's gathering at St. Sabina, receiving a standing ovation when he was introduced as a guest. Pfleger was on church grounds, but did not appear in public. Stewart issued a statement in which he said those who know Pfleger believe he has repented for his actions and his apology has been accepted by the St. Sabina congregation. "We love and respect our pastor. He has married us, buried us, laughed with us and cried with us. Our tears are a result of enduring a deluge of hateful statements. He is our pastor and spiritual leader and we will continue to love and support him," Stewart said. Others at the event said their protest to Pfleger's removal was not because of anything he said at Trinity United but because they now no longer have a pastor, even if it's just for a few weeks. Less than a week after Pfleger's sermon at Trinity United, Obama severed ties to his church, claiming the backlash was the deciding factor for him. "It's clear that now that I'm a candidate for president, every time something is said in the church by anyone associated with Trinity, including guest pastors, the remarks will be imputed to me, even if they totally conflict with my long-held views, statements and principles," Obama said, praising the congregation and church leaders for their work in the Chicago community.
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