Politics & Government
Parishioners Want Father Pfleger 'Dis-invited' from Anti-Violence Panel
"BTW Racism and Hate is another form of Violence," priest says in response to parishioners' threats to pull kids from St. Barnabas School.
Fr. Michael Pfleger
The fiery priest posted on Facebook that he was invited participate in a panel discussion on Feb. 27 at St. Barnabas Church, 10124 S. Longwood Drive, but now some parishioners want to “disinvite” him.
Rev. William Malloy of St. Barnabas talked to DNAInfo about some of the calls he received from concerned parishioners wondering why the social activist priest was invited to speak at the parish. They questioned the topics that would be discussed.
“There is nothing neutral about Mike Pfleger,” Malloy told DNAInfo.
The St. Barnabas pastor added he was aware of the threats to pull children from the parish elementary school. He said most of the parishioners he spoke with were concerned about Fr. Pfleger’s views on police, DNAInfo reported.
On Wednesday, someone posted a photo allegedly of a “Chi-Raq” flag flying above a half-mast American flag outside of St. Sabina Church in the city’s violence-plagued Auburn-Gresham neighborhood, where Pfleger is pastor, on a neighborhood Facebook page in the 19th Ward. The photo was shared 927 times.
Pfleger could not immediately be reached for comment.
Pfleger’s followers and Beverly-area residents were naturally divided into two social media camps, with the former accusing St. Barnabas parishioners of being “un-Christian.” Beverly-area residents called Pfleger “anti-police” and accused the social activist priest of “turning himself into a ‘god’” before his St. Sabina parishioners.
The panel discussion is being organized by the Thou Shalt Not Murder campaign. In addition to Pfleger, other invited speakers include Fr. David Kelly, executive direction of Precious Blood Ministries of Reconciliation, and Chief Eugene Williams of the Chicago Police Department and president of the Chicago Chapter, NOBEL - National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
According to the Thou Shalt Not Murder campaign website, religious and community leaders will discuss “murder from theological, social, and psychological perspectives.”
The campaign is also calling for Easter Sunday, March 27, to be a “day without murder” in Chicago.
The discussion at St. Barnabas will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 27.
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