The Fr. Pfleger saga turns a page, but the soap opera continues...

Last year, the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George, suspended the civil rights activist-priest, Reverend Michael Pfleger, after he "short-circuited" efforts that had been under way to reach an agreement on his transition.  After Fr. Pfleger apologized for the statements he made, Cardinal George lifted his suspension and Pfleger pledged to deliver a transition plan by December 1, 2011, for St. Sabina's.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Archdiocese has named Fr. Pfleger the temporary administrator of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish until a permanent pastor is named on July 1, 2012.  Pfleger will also serve as the Archdiocese's representative for "newly developing anti-violence initiatives that will include a particular focus on issues surrounding gun violence."

What is unusual about the announcement is not the difficulty Cardinal George has encountered in removing Fr. Pfleger as pastor of St. Sabina's.  After all, once a priest is appointed pastor of a parish and unless he dies in office or enagages in misconduct, a pastor can only remove himself by accepting a transfer (obedience to the bishop) or resigning from office (with the bishop accepting the resignation).

For The Motley Monk, what is unusual about this announcement is that Fr. Pfleger will continue shring his pastor's responsibilities at his longtime parish, St. Sabina's, with Reverend Thulani D. Magwaza.  Currently the parish's associate pastor.  Fr. Magwaza has been named "co-pastor" at St. Sabina's.

Will Fr. Pfleger accept his transfer to serve as pastor at St. Margaret's in July?  Will Fr. Pfleger resign up his "co-pastorship" at St. Sabina's?  Or, will Fr. Pfleger continue to hold onto his "co-pastorate"?


Let the discussion begin...



To read the Chicago Tribune article, click on the following link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-pfleger-taking-on-duties-at-new-parish-while-serving-as-copastor-at-st-sabina-20120207,0,2737838.story