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Way over the top

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Illinois

* From Fr. Michael Pfleger’s Facebook page…

Can’t understand why the DuSable Museum [of African American History] will Allow Gov. Rauner to speak there on Monday….this is disrespectful…and insult to be invited to speak at this jewel in the African-American Community. This man has abandoned and raped the community of resources

Whoa.

Apparently, the meek will not inherit St. Sabina’s Parish.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:41 pm

Comments

I saw that this morning and just cringed. Only an awful and vile person could say such a thing.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:43 pm
Awful. Missed that whole “Judge not lest ye be judged” thing in Bible study I guess. And who is he to tell the DuSable Museum people what to do in the first place?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:49 pm
Pfleger is god, don’t ya know?

Comment by Lovie Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:51 pm
Catholic priests are typically reassigned to a different parish every 6 to 12 years (kind of like term limits). Pfleger has refused to moved and has used his clout in the African-American community. It will be interesting to see how Archbishop Supich handles this the next time around.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:53 pm
Put me in the Awful and Vile column - Cause think the Priest is Right On Target

Comment by x ace Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:53 pm
This guy is an embarrassment to the Catholic Church. I can’t believe they let him carry on like that.

Comment by Catholite Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:54 pm
Yep. And those Democrats have really made the South and West sides such vibrant, prosperous and safe communities.

Comment by Emmanuel Can't Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:55 pm
Dear Fr. Pfleger,

You’re not helping.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:00 pm
And how many cheeks have to be turned before you say enough is enough?

Comment by STILL WATERS Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:02 pm
===Dear Fr. Pfleger,

You’re not helping.===

He may not be helping, but I doubt he’s impacting the budget process at all.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:02 pm
Well, the rhetoric is a bit strong — but I suspect he means it. It’s a point of view — that’s for sure.

One that I know is fairly well shared.

Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:03 pm
You went full Pfleger, man.

Never go full Pfleger.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:03 pm
The community voted him in to office: without the 20% in votes he would have not been elected. and the Gov has delivered on his promise to help! He has helped cut services, shut down small social service employers and jobs, and is going to war to close schools and reduce education. But he did drive his bank to one bank and make a deposit…

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:03 pm
In addition to the term limits issue, I think he is getting to mandatory retirement age in the next couple of years. Our founding parish priest hit that age a couple years ago, had to leave, and left. I doubt Father Pfleger will go so quietly. He gives the impression it is more about him than it is about his parish and his parishioners.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:05 pm
He is an unstable person.

Comment by Saluki Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:06 pm
Religious leaders typically represent the principles of their faith. Are public comments like this meant to represent Catholic beliefs? I hope not.

Comment by huey Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:07 pm
The language was inappropriate but I have wondered myself why certain institutions around the state have agreed to give him a platform. His tour two weeks ago on educations finding was purely political. He used thier platforms to bask Madigan and the democrats in school communities. He’s not a speaker I would welcome to my hometown anytime soon. He’s not someone my kids can look up to. He’s not someone communities can look up to.

Comment by Politix Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:08 pm
“Way over the top”

I think Pfleger has that printed on his business cards.

Comment by Tomas Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:08 pm
*bash

Comment by Politix Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:08 pm
==Put me in the Awful and Vile column==

Done. Congrats.

Pfleger is a legend in his own mind, but a joke to most everyone else.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:09 pm
*I would NOT welcome him.

Sigh….

Comment by Politix Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:10 pm
+++- Bogey Golfer - Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:53 pm:
Catholic priests are typically reassigned to a different parish every 6 to 12 years +++

My dad always said it was about 6 years, unless the Buick or Olds sedan gifted from the last parish lasted longer than that.

Apparently it was common for a parish to (take up a collection for and) buy the outgoing priest a car.

Comment by titan Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:22 pm
Pretty moderate compared to previous remarks… though still wholly inappropriate.

Hey, don’t knock progress. /s

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:23 pm
There are some people, that no matter how much you disagree with them, you let them speak. If the President of the United States requested an opportunity to speak at an NRA, I’m fairly certain they would allow it, even if they disagreed with him/her.

Comment by Delimma Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:25 pm
If the Father wants to use over the top comments like this he should first remove his collar. This is not the way of Jesus Christ.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:27 pm
I always try to look at Father Pfleger’s comments from the standpoint of the people in the community he serves. Lots of the stuff he says rings true to the people in his parish, but is completely out of line in the suburbs. Too many people outside of his parish couch his statements from the viewpoint of their lives and their community, in which cast they make no sense.
This comment is, however, as Rich puts it “way over the top”

Comment by train111 Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:29 pm
Given Fr. Pfleger actions, it is amazing that he is still a priest. That he is, reflects very poorly on the church.

Comment by Logic not emotion Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:31 pm
This coming from the guy that has sold out to Rahm…

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:34 pm
I also saw it early this morning and cringed. Once I saw the source, In pretty much dismissed it as just more Facebook noise.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:36 pm
===Apparently, the meek will not inherit St. Sabina’s Parish.====

LOL.

Comment by Boone's is Back Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:38 pm
I’m not a fan or apologist for Father Pfleger, but I will say that after a year of watching the wholesale destruction of our human services infrastructure, and knowing how communities of color are disproportionately bearing the burden of this commitment to the Turnaround Around agenda, AND seeing the daily massacre of human lives, it is really really really hard to modulate your words and put a reasonable “spin” on your message. This situation has me so enraged and frequently moved to tears. I understand where he is coming from. This human suffering is real, not a hypothetical, and it is hard not to react from an emotional place.

Comment by Pawn Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:40 pm
Pawn, this crap did not just happen in the last year. Wake-up and realize this problem has been brewing for at least the last decade. The ignorance of facts is amazing

Comment by Fly On the Wall Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:45 pm
==this crap did not just happen in the last year…..The ignorance of facts is amazing==

Hey you forgot to point out all the times that Pat Quinn refused to sign a budget until, say, a minimum wage increase was passed! Your irony is showing.

Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:54 pm
Too bad they telegraphed their move.
It’d be much better to have the governor show up and THEN face angry constituents.
This only gives him notice he might need to move his press appearance elsewhere to avoid anything negative on the TV cameras.

Comment by BluegrassBoy Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:58 pm
I thought his comments about Friends of the Park was more egregious.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:59 pm
I am still scratching my head over why it is ok to destroy human services, higher ed, and many businesses involved, as well as destroying the lives depending on these things; as long as you do it politely and with no language stronger than “Gol Darnit”. Meanwhile, if you call the previous actions a “rape” you have gone completely over the top.

Comment by Groundhog Day Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:04 pm
Pat Quinn never got his budgets through unless Madigan and Cullerton got all the goodies in there. Quinn was never in control of the budget and was ran over by the Legislature like a truck. He could barely get his Cabinet positions approved.

Comment by Fly On the Wall Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:05 pm
Groundhog Day, Please tell me when the Legislature passed a legitimate budget. Passing a budget with appropriation authority is not the same as having the money TO PAY THE BILLS.

Comment by Fly On the Wall Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:07 pm
Well, every time he visits a Museum, it gets shut down, so, I’d be wary of welcoming Rauner too.

Comment by Newsclown Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:08 pm
===it is ok===

Not sure many would agree with that.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:09 pm
– Meanwhile, if you call the previous actions a “rape” you have gone completely over the top. –

Perhaps check the definition of ‘rape,’ versus other words that could be used such as ‘harmed,’ ‘neglected,’ or ‘damaged.’

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:09 pm
The good Father doesn’t like when TV cameras aren’t on him.

Comment by Jackie Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:10 pm
If a Republican had used the word “raped”, there would be complete outrage from the female community. It’s not an appropriate term and he should know better.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:17 pm
For crying out loud…..use it as an opportunity to educate the Governor, not scream at him.

Comment by Not It Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:22 pm
Perhaps it should have been *wordsmithed* better, but his point is spot on. Given that Bruce has spoken about criminal justice reform, which costs all taxpayers billions and billions of dollars, and untold costs in a person life.

Comment by Delbert Grady Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:25 pm
The good father should stick to his Parish and run it. I don’t think what DuSable does or who they invite is really his business . Maybe if people with different ideas ever met together they might see another view. But evidently it is Pflagers way or the highway. How Rauner like.

Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:27 pm
The neighborhood was not exactly in great shape 18 months ago. It would be nice if everyone would acknowledge that whatever we have been doing for the past few decades or more for this community has been a failure and it is time to take a different approach.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:27 pm
Okay, am not from Chicago, and never heard of this guy before-did a quick search and read some information.
“Rape” might be a strong word, but it really isn’t much worse than what Trump has said about some things, and he is a presumptive presidential candidate.
In theory, I have to agree with his outrage about Rauner’s attendance at this meeting, but as was mentioned above, sometimes it does more good to hear from the opposing side than to reject everything they say…

Comment by downstate commissioner Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:29 pm
“Pfleger is a legend in his own mind, but a joke to most everyone else.”

To people in Peoria, perhaps. But absolutely not to his parish and its surrounding neighborhoods.

The lifting of Phleger’s suspension had more to do with his parishioners, surrounding parishes and one or two Alderman strenuously lobbying on his behalf. Cardinal George was grossly in error to suspend him. George was a hold-over from the way-too conservative Church and was not looked upon favorably by Pope Francis, in part because of the Phleger incident. And under Pope Francis, better get used to Father Phleger. Mandatory retirement will come and go leaving the good Father right where he is.

Comment by Springfieldish Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:31 pm
Neither the meek nor anyone else with be inheriting St. Sabina’s from Fr. Pfleger because he won’t let it go. Unlike every other priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago who reached the end of their term, he refused to leave. Fr. Jack Wall who saved Old St. Pat’s left, Fr. Tony Brankin who kept St. Tommy More going left. Not Fr. Pfleger. He was going to start running things on his own. The meek will just have to wait.

Comment by West Side The Best Side Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:32 pm
Mirriam-Webster online: rape; a archaic : to seize and take away by force.

And for the record, I am a woman.

Comment by Groundhog Day Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:45 pm
Formerly @1:03 - LOL well put.

Comment by Nick Danger Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:51 pm
Lucky Piere, post hoc, ergo propter hoc

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Comment by Gone Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 3:02 pm
Fly on the Wall —

I have been in this business for 25 years. I see up close what is happening and has been happening. What is different over the last 18 months, that was not true before, is that we now have a chief executive elected to serve ALL of the people, willingly and deliberately weaponizing us, our families and loved ones, and our communities, for an ideology that has never once been shown to produce the kind of return on investment that would justify such a destructive act. Yes, I said he weaponized us. He chose us to be the “wedge” — his own words — to use us as the weapon to hurt Democrats and achieve his political agenda. We are not collateral damage — WE ARE THE WEAPON. It is impossible not to be emotional and angry about that, regardless of your politics.

Comment by Pawn Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 3:06 pm
Newsclown, you are right. Ruiner visited the Illinois State Museum about a month before he ordered it closed (he was there for the dedication of the Museum building to Alan Dixon).

Comment by Artifact Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 3:15 pm
weaponized…nice…I’m gonna use that one at some point. +1

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 3:16 pm
==it really isn’t much worse than what Trump has said about some things, ==

That’s like saying a pile of cow dung isn’t much worse than a pile of horse dung

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 3:34 pm
@Nick Danger - gracias. Someone had to say it lol. Enjoy the weekend

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 3:57 pm
I don’t like or respect Pfleger, so his opinion or statement doesn’t carry a lot of weight. Suspect many others feel the same.

Comment by NoNews Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 4:08 pm
==If a Republican had used the word “raped”, there would be complete outrage from the female community. ==

It’s obvious you’re so close to “the female community” you can predict their actions.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 4:35 pm
Kudos to the many comments on FB that disagree with him.

And if this is what he calls Rauner, what would he call running up $140+ Bill in debt and then abandoning the tab for our kids to pay?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 4:37 pm
Kudos to the many comments on Facebook that disagree with him.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 4:38 pm
My guess is Pope Francis would not say it the same way as Father, but he would be out fighting for the poor. The budget to him would be for the poor first the rest of would have to wait.

Comment by Cleric dcn Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 4:45 pm
It’s a bit harsh but what has Governor Rauner done for Auburn - Gresham?

While we are at it what has Governor Rauner done for anyone except for the Super Stars and the business owners who extort tax incentives from the State?

Comment by Chicago 20 Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 4:45 pm