Local News

Pfleger Returns To St. Sabina

CHICAGO (CBS) ― It's back to the pulpit for Father Michael Pfleger. Two weeks ago, Cardinal Francis George ordered him to take a two-week leave of absence from St. Sabina Catholic Church, after controversial comments by Pfleger surfaced on the Internet.

As CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, on Monday Pfleger invited reporters and cameras into his church office on his first day back to St. Sabina. The deal was supposed to be for pictures only, but once reporters and cameras were inside, Pfleger's talkative side emerged.

"The Tribune this morning made a statement in the article, it said 'Can you be Catholic and be an activist?' Absolutely, absolutely. You cannot, I don't believe, be Catholic and not be an activist. That's the gospel," Pfleger said, adding that he thinks the Cardinal understands that as well.

Pfleger was also asked how it made him feel to see the outpouring of support from his congregation – who demanded he immediately be allowed to return to the pulpit after Cardinal George asked him to take a leave of absence.

"It's been wonderful, the support here and across the country. I've had calls from across the country, across the world. Cardinal West called me everyday from Berlin. … There's been folks all around the country, it's been great," Pfleger said.

He had gotten into near boiling hot water with Cardinal George after videos surfaced on the Internet of a sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ, in which he mocked U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's tears on the campaign trail.

Pfleger has been pastor of the predominantly African-American St. Sabina parish, at 1210 W. 78th St., since 1981. He has gained notoriety for his political activism on behalf of gun control, racial and social equality, and intervention against youth violence.

On May 25, Pfleger was a guest preacher at the Trinity United Church of Christ, of which Sen. Obama was a member for two decades. In his sermon, he mocked Clinton and the emotion she showed before the New Hampshire primary.

"I really don't believe it was put on. I always thought she felt 'This is mine. I'm Bill's wife. I'm white. And this is mine. I just got to get up and step into the plate,'" he said. "And then out of nowhere came, 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama.' And she said, 'Oh damn, where did you come from? I'm white. I'm entitled. There's a black man stealing my show.'"

Pfleger then pretended to cry in a dramatization that included a handkerchief.

"She wasn't the only one crying. There was a whole lot of white people crying," he said.

Pfleger later apologized for his comments. "I apologize for anyone who was offended and thought it to be mockery. that was neither my intent nor was it my heart."

But the controversy not only prompted Cardinal George to ask Pfleger to take a leave from St. Sabina, it also prompted U.S. Sen. Barack Obama to cut ties with Trinity, where he had been a member for more than 20 years. 

Pfleger would not say if he would abide by the Cardinal's admonition against engaging in partisan politics, but it was clear from the boxing gloves he proudly pointed to, that he will continue fighting for the causes he is known for battling.

"I'm me," Pfleger said. "I'm not changing."

Pfleger hinted he would have more to say when he preaches to his congregation at St. Sabina from the pulpit on Sunday.

He did say that he is grateful to Cardinal George for letting him return. In his words, "I'm here and I'm ready."

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