Chicago priest returns to pulpit grateful

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Rev. Michael Pfleger | Al Podgorski~Sun-Times

CHICAGO — An activist priest reinstated to his Chicago church apologized to congregants and thanked the Archdiocese of Chicago during Sunday services, his first since a suspension last month.

The Rev. Michael Pfleger was suspended April 27 after saying during a radio interview that he would leave rather than be removed from St. Sabina Catholic Church, where he has been a priest for decades. In suspending Pfleger, Cardinal Francis George said if that was Pfleger’s attitude, he had already left the Catholic Church and therefore was “not able to pastor a Catholic parish.”

The suspension was lifted Friday.

Pfleger said the suspension was lifted after three in-depth conversations with archdiocese officials.

The disagreement stemmed from reports that archdiocese officials had wanted to put Pfleger in charge of a Catholic high school.

Pfleger, who also celebrated his 62nd birthday Sunday, thanked George during services.

“He made it possible for me to be here today,” Pfleger said.

The priest has been in the national spotlight for other comments he’s made, including during the 2008 presidential campaign. He’s been an outspoken activist with protests of everything from billboards to Jerry Springer’s television show.

Pfleger is a white priest who runs a largely black church and has made racial equality a cornerstone of his mission. He often wears African-style robes during services, a mural of a black Jesus is behind the altar and both of his adopted sons are black.

Pfleger has long appeared to have a strained relationship with the archdiocese, which opposed his decision to adopt children. However, in his letter announcing the suspension, George said he’s supported Pfleger’s work for social justice and admired his passion for ministry.

Pfleger’s public comments got him in trouble in 2008, when he was suspended for nearly two weeks after mocking then-Sen. Hillary Clinton during her presidential run. Pfleger, who was preaching from the pulpit of President Barack Obama’s former Chicago church, pretended he was Clinton crying over “a black man stealing my show.” He later apologized.