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| Cardinal George / Fr Michael Pfleger |
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, who has largely remained silent about his
suspension from Chicago’s St. Sabina Catholic Church, said today he is
relying on his faith and the support of the community to work through
the recent events involving his priesthood.
“I am blessed. I am really blessed,” said Pfleger said, who was on hand at the Auburn Gresham neighborhood church to help distribute 10-pound bags of chicken to about 1,000 local residents.
A little more than a week after Cardinal Francis George suspended Pfleger for publicly stating that he would leave the Roman Catholic Church if forced to accept a new assignment as a school administrator, the charismatic priest was surrounded by well wishers at St. Sabina.
Many supporters and St. Sabina parishioners kissed and hugged Pfleger as he filled their empty bags and baskets with the frozen birds.
“You keep praying and I’ll be here,” he told one woman, while handing her one of the chickens donated by the Hear Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit that focuses on health, education and relief.
“I am blessed. I am really blessed,” said Pfleger said, who was on hand at the Auburn Gresham neighborhood church to help distribute 10-pound bags of chicken to about 1,000 local residents.
A little more than a week after Cardinal Francis George suspended Pfleger for publicly stating that he would leave the Roman Catholic Church if forced to accept a new assignment as a school administrator, the charismatic priest was surrounded by well wishers at St. Sabina.
Many supporters and St. Sabina parishioners kissed and hugged Pfleger as he filled their empty bags and baskets with the frozen birds.
“You keep praying and I’ll be here,” he told one woman, while handing her one of the chickens donated by the Hear Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit that focuses on health, education and relief.
Normally accessible to the media, Pfleger light-heartedly said he would only answer questions relating to chicken.
He expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support he has continued to receive, and spoke of his love for the community and the church.
He expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support he has continued to receive, and spoke of his love for the community and the church.
Parishioners of St. Sabina, the largest African-American Catholic church in the city's archdiocese, have continued to rally around Pfleger, holding protests outside the cardinal's home and honoring his priesthood during a recent Sunday service.