Rev. Jeremiah Wright delivers blessing at Chicago Catholic church

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Rev. Wright and Fr. Michael Pfleger

Chicago, Ill., Mar 31, 2008 / 06:26 pm (CNA).- Senator Barack Obama’s controversial former spiritual adviser, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, made a surprise appearance at a Catholic church on the South Side of Chicago on Friday night. During the visit, the pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church praised Wright and asked him to deliver a blessing for the church’s lecture series, CBS2 Chicago reports.

Wright, who was Senator Obama’s mentor for twenty years, became the center of controversy after clips of his sermons condemning America were posted on the internet.

Senator Obama, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the presidency, has distanced himself from Wright’s remarks. Wright’s visit to St. Sabina’s was reportedly his first public appearance since the controversy over his remarks began.

According to CBS2 newscaster Diann Burns, the crowd at St. Sabina parish, though surprised by Wright’s appearance, was “quick to show their support.”

The church’s pastor, Father Michael Pfleger, publicly welcomed Wright to the event. “We love you. We praise God for you,” the priest said to Wright. In later interviews with the press, the priest defended Wright from criticism.

Father Pfleger had invited Wright to the church’s African-American Speaker Series, which featured writer and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou.

Father Pfleger explained to CBS2 the reason for Wright’s invitation.

“I wanted him to come tonight as a guest because he loves Dr. Angelou, and I wanted him to see the love of people for him,” he said. “And so when I asked him about coming, he said he’d be honored to come. And it was a blessing for us to have him here.”

According to CBS2, Reverend Wright did not speak about Senator Obama at the event, but gave a blessing to the congregation. After the blessing, Wright went to a nearby office where dozens of people lined up to greet him.

The church’s pastor has praised Senator Barack Obama’s presidential run. The Obama campaign’s website identifies Father Michael Pfleger as the senior pastor at St. Sabina Church.

The priest is quoted as saying, “I’m concerned by issues of poverty and issues of justice and equal access and opportunity especially when dealing with children and education and healthcare. Also, the war in Iraq is non-negotiable: end it! The faith community has to be a prophetic voice to bring us to where we ought to be as a country. Its voice should call every individual to be their best and not assimilate into anything less. Obama is calling back those who have given up and lost hope in the political system both young and old in the belief that we can fix it. He has the intellect for the job and I haven’t heard anyone since Robert F. Kennedy who is causing such an emotional and spiritual awakening to the political possibilities.”

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Father Pfleger has called recent criticism of Wright “shameful.”

"I wanted him to come here so he could see that people really stand with him and support him while he's under all this attack," Father Pfleger said on Saturday, the Sun-Times reports. "America, unfortunately, has been really cheated of knowing the real Dr. Wright."

Comments: 23

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Anthony
Houston/TX/USA 11/27/2009 11:45 PM EST

It is so sad to read of priests openly attacking The Teachings of the ancient Catholic Orthodox Church in favor of a modernized scholastic one, where The Truth of God is sold for the convenience of man's desires apart from God. humbly in Christ, Anthony

Published by: ross madden
fla, usa 05/10/2009 12:21 PM EST

ca.. educate yourselves and stand togethertholics and evangelicals must become aware and motivated quickly, before it's too late

Published by: Studien der Hutterer
Sioux Falls, SD, USA 05/30/2008 08:40 PM EST

Thank you Father for speaking the Truth. You are a true man of God. May the Holy Spirit enable you to always uplift the cross of Christ and proclaim Kingdom truth.

Published by: William Garland
Mantoloking, N.J. 05/02/2008 12:39 PM EST

Rev. Pfleger is not above inciting some hate on his own. When speaking to a crowd at a ralley seeking to shutdown a lawful firearms business he told the crowd, "We're going to snuff out John Riggio." [the store's owner]. Calling for killing another human being by name violates both the law of God and civil law. I can find no evidence that the Rev. apologized for his expression of vicious hate against Mr. Riggio.

Published by: Jim L
Atlanta GA USA 04/27/2008 07:53 PM EST

As a practicing Catholic, I find this Priest to be out of bounds and offensive. If I was attending Mass, I would have walked out.

Published by: Hope F.
Virginia USA 04/09/2008 12:58 PM EST

WHY is it that priest like this get to continue calling themselves Roman Catholic Priests and celebrating the Mass,and preaching and leading more and more "catholics" astray?? Not everyone can attend another church, and not everyone is intelligent enough to NOT BELIEVE Heresies preached by their "priest".
It is really time that Bishops and Cardinals started making real reforms by stopping priests like this. Until they do, more and more of this,and worse, will continue. PLEASE BISHOPS start listening to your Faithful Parishioners!

Published by: Vin
Ilion, ny 04/04/2008 01:52 PM EST

Where oh where have all these heretic priests come from? Thank God the Church is promised protection from them according to scripture, but we who are going through this difficult period of having to hear and see this going on seemingly endlessly realy need to pray hard and often. May God help us all.

Published by: Alice
Texas, USA 04/03/2008 01:38 PM EST

Disgusting curses from
the mouths of Wright
and Pfleger do not
win souls, rather they
foment hatred and
divisions. How Sad!!!!

Do they know HIM they
claim to serve???
Jesus said He came to
seek and to save that
which was lost.
Redeemed by his blood,
those who believe.
Called to Love one
another, the last
Commandment of Christ.

They should probably
step down from the
pulpit and become
public rabble rousers.
This seems to be their
true calling.

Published by: Kathy
Chicago, Illinois 04/03/2008 11:48 AM EST

I live on the southside of Chicago and I am all too aware of this "father" Pfleger. My question is...when is Cardinal George going to do somoethinig about this man??? He has invited Louis Farakaan (sp?)to the church. Al sharpton once gave the "homily." I thought that was against Canon Law! This is scandalous. The Cardinal has said nothing so far about this latest fiasco. I feel like his silence suggests agreement/acceptance.

Published by: Where is Mary?
Los Angeles, CA 04/03/2008 10:10 AM EST

Where is Mary in the Father's comments? He talks nothing but Love and Respect for Reverend Wright and Farrakahn now today? He is supporting horriffic views that Obama is supporting, in a round about way. I see in these persons-Obama->Wright->Pfleger->Farrakahn, Abandon your Mother Mary, Go the Way of Popularity and Glamor and Abort that Obama's words "don't want my daughters" well it was BAD and lead to Abortion. Think People of America that are the True Catholics that Follow Mary Mother of God, Think before you Vote for Abortion!

Published by: Armando
Chicago IL. USA 04/02/2008 10:51 PM EST

Poor Fr. Pfleger once again pretending to be something he is not. Doing things for the sake of his own congregation and not his faith that he professed to serve as a Roman Catholic priest. What does he know about the non-negotiables: Nothing! Fr Pfleger, it's time you went back and studied your theology and what justice really means. You're truly disconnected! I hope Cardinal George gets involved in this!!

Published by: Lee A
Oswego, IL 04/02/2008 11:30 AM EST

I am originally from the South Side of Chicago and am a Roman Catholic. Fr. Pfleger has turned St. Sabina's into a Holy Roller church. If you are Roman Catholic be a Roman Catholic - if you are a Holy Roller be a Holy Roller. Just don't lie about what you are and accept tuition and donations claiming you are RC. Sound familiar???

Published by: Maria
Milwaukee, WI 04/02/2008 11:29 AM EST

True justice means giving God his due. By teaching hatred to America and toward the white race, Rev Wright is NOT being just, neither is Fr. Pfleger. If Fr. Pfleger wants war to end now, he should evangelize Rev Wright toward forgiveness between Black and Whites. How can they expect war to end if they are not willing to forgive their brothers. Fr. Pfleger should also spend more time teaching true Catholic Social Justice in his parish. Rev Wright & Fr. Pfleger: If you want justice be just to God first by loving your brother no matter his skin color.

Published by: Gil
St Louis 04/01/2008 05:13 PM EST

How can such a hateful person as Wright be accepted with open arms by this priest. I am all in favor of social justice, but Wright's involvement with social justice is totally negated by his hateful speech.

Published by: Kenneth Ryan
Denton, TX 04/01/2008 04:55 PM EST

Hard to describe my utter shock to see the actions of the Chicago Catholic pastor and his congregation CHEER Rev. Wright. This is NOT christianity at work, this is CREATING SCANDAL! The messages (disguised as sermons) of this person were vile, anti christian, hateful and as evil as speeches of Hitler and other anti-christians in history.
This pastor has not right (religious or otherwise) to allow his church to be used to support purveyors of ABORTION, HATRED, BIGOTRY and pass it off as though it were OK and supported by Christ.
Wright,Obama and pastor Pfleger are not the voices of Christians and love but disguised social engineers bent on destruction of real social values.
How can such EVIL be CHEERED except from mesmerized followers: Jonestown.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO PRAY THE ROSARY FOR THE "CONVERSION OF AMERICA." This evil can only be stopped by our Lord.

Published by: Kiet Tran
Oak Hill VA 04/01/2008 04:34 PM EST

I used to think like this Father. No more of the nonsense about the Democratic candidates. Until the abortion is abolished, there is no other issue that is more important than the abortion nightmare. I've seen many such priests and I'm just sad. I'll pray for the Father to find his way back to the reality of abortion.

Published by: Ron Fry
Wichita, KS 04/01/2008 01:27 PM EST

It does me a world of good to endorse the comments made above. They appear to be made with kindness, mercy and love. The comments also bring out the hypocrisy of a leader who proclaims to be farsighted and loving but turns a blind eye to the feel good oration of a confirmed advocate for pro-choice and same sex marriage. Help me to understand how a guardian can go against the tenets of the faith when it comes to promoting life from conception to natural death, and to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:18; 9:1,7). God also stated "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body." (Gen 2:14) Love is powerful, we should all attempt to be one with each other, our family, community and our God. Maybe then we will become selfless rather than self oriented. PAX AND LOVE OF CHRIST! R

Published by: Nancy
Washington State 04/01/2008 11:46 AM EST

This priest does not represent the views of the Catholic Church. Yes, we care about justice but from his comments it is plain to see that his views on how to solve these problems are off the mark. If I had been in the congregation at this event I would have walked out. Preaching hate is a sin, Fr.Pfleger's opinion notwithstanding. I can never condone it.

Published by: Ron Pichlik
Battle Creek, MI USA 04/01/2008 08:34 AM EST

While I can certainly appreciate the Father's efforts at peacemaking the problem is that he is engaging in "peacemaking" at the expense of the truth. We can love Rev. Wright, but what we absolutely cannot love, and must take issue with is his hate-filled speech and lies. He is preaching a message of hate along racial lines. That message NEVER has a place in the pulpit. The Father should understand that. One can care about poverty, the homeless and all of the other litanies of evil that plague mankind, but we cannot sacrifice the truth and what Rev. Wright is preaching is a racially based form of socialism not unlike that preached by Marx, Lenin and the rest. Lastly, Father should take a good, long and very hard look at Sen. Obama's position(s) on abortion and the other life issues over his years of public "service" and decide whether or not as a Catholic he thinks that the Senator's positions can be reconciled with Church teaching. I don't think they can.

Published by: W
Colorado 04/01/2008 12:49 AM EST

I think Father Pfleger's comments are shameful. To paraphrase Charles R. Kesler: "...Hope...hope for what?...Change... Change we can beleive in." Please, let us not "confuse change with improvement." Personal views and political views should not be so closely blended with liturgical teaching. Ones faith is and should be more important. "Rev." Wright's DVD's (for sale on the church's website) do not preach the kinds of things my Catholic Bible teaches. My deepest regrets and prayers will be for Fr. Pfleger and "rev" Wright, but that will never mean that I agree with this either of them on this issue. Being a supporter of Obhama has seems to have made or forced Fr. Pfleger to be an apologist for Wright...and that's wrong.

Published by: Chris R
Mercer Island, WA 03/31/2008 10:21 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

You notice that this Priest didn't mention the Fact that OBAMA SUPPORTS ABORTION ON DEMAND, GAY MARRIAGE, EBRYO STEM CELL RESEARCH and other items that are INTRINSICALLY EVIL.

This is another Liberal Priest who puts healthcare and other social justice issues above the right to life!

Guess what Father, your time of supporting heretics is over and the orthodox Catholics are taking their church back. Either conform, or become an episcopal.

Cardinal George should discipline him immediately for saying anything positive about Obama!

Published by: Michael McLoughlin
New Milford Ct. 03/31/2008 10:07 PM EST

Does Father Pfleger care about Obama's support for abortion, or is he one of so many "Cafeteria Catholics" that blindly vote Democratic? Shouldn't he care about the forty million plus aborted babies,(disproportionately children of color),that have been put to death by the Democrat's unwavering support of this crime that surpasses slavery and Hitler's "Final Solution"?

Where is his Bishop on all this?

God help us all, when political expedience takes a lead over morals.

Published by: Jim
Tampa/FL/USA 03/31/2008 07:18 PM EST

Oh dear Lord, let us not be too harsh on the good Rev. Wright. Yes we should welcome him as we welcome all people to Christ's true and universal church, but not under false pretenses. Father Pfleger's calling the 'attacks' on the Rev. Wright as shameful is in itself very shameful. Come on. The Rev.'s well known bigotry and anti-American views are exceedingly shameful as are Senator Obama's actions to date in congress. Any one who would vote against the Infants Born Alive Protection Act and against banning the horrible practice of Partial Birth Abortions needs to be brought to Justice. I am totally in favor of Mercy, but if a man knows not his sin, he can not seek the Lord's mercy. An honest dialogue with Rev Wright is called for and an honest debate is needed for the Senator. Each man's sins are public sins; so as they have not only offended God but also all mankind, each needs to plead with the Lord for mercy and explain to us what they plan to do to make amends. This should not have been done in the public's eye until Father approached in private. If there was no metanoia, then Father is required to bring two witnesses to convince these men of their ills. After that, he was okay to bring it out in the public but not without God's light to expose the social gravity of their very public sins. ‘Lord, have mercy on Father and these two men, the Rev Wright and Sen. Obama. May we all be brought to the Truth and remain standing.’

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