Chicago, Ill., Jun 4, 2008 / 08:37 am
The controversial Catholic priest who recently caused Barack Obama to leave his church, has been placed on temporary leave by Cardinal Francis George, the archbishop of Chicago.
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Cardinal George said that he has asked Fr. Michael Pfleger to take leave from his duties as pastor at St. Sabina’s Parish for “a couple of weeks” effective as of Tuesday. The time away is to help Fr. Pfleger “put recent events in some perspective,” the cardinal said.
Fr. Pfleger, Cardinal George said, “does not believe this to be the right step at this time.”
But Cardinal George disagreed with the embattled pastor, saying, “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.”