Father Pfleger back in Pulpit today; reinstated by Cardinal George

 

By Chinta Strausberg

 

After weeks of praying, crying, passing out “Show Some Love” flyers all over the city and working the Internet night and day, when I received an e-mail from Saint Sabina confirming that Cardinal George had reinstated our beloved Pastor Michael L. Pfleger, the tears began to roll.

This is the e-mail we all received: “Effective immediately, our Pastor, Fr. Pfleger has been reinstated to full sacramental and pastoral ministry here at the Faith Community of St. Sabina and in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“We thank everyone for their letters, prayers and support.

“On Sunday, May 22, 2011 Fr. Pfleger will not only celebrate his birthday but will celebrate the 11:15 a.m. Worship Service.”

To all of the more than 300 Religious Leaders of all faiths that I work with every day who have been praying for my Pastor, writing letters and calling the Cardinal, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To the many who called me including a group of 50 very serious preachers and a group of bishops who unsuccessfully sought a meeting with Cardinal George, I thank you for your genuine concern and efforts.

To those who attended a press conference at Hard Times Josephine’s Restaurant calling on the Cardinal to lift the suspension, I thank you so much. You didn’t have to do that, but you did and I will never, ever forget the love you have shown to our beloved Pastor Pfleger.

Our Pastor never disobeyed the Cardinal. His words on the Tavis Smiley show were taken out of context and that was unfortunate.

Ironically, the lifting of the suspension comes on the eve of Tavis Smiley’s appearance at Saint Sabina, 1210 W. 78^th Place, where on Saturday, May 21, 2011; he will be signing his new book, “Fail UP,” from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in the McMahon Hall.

So, now, I hope the healing can begin starting with our babies who are totally confused including my 4-year-old niece who recently, out of the blue, told me, “I’m going to call the police on the Cardinal…because he keeps messing with Pastor Pfleger.” Out of the mouths of babes….

And, it is my deepest prayer that the Cardinal will one day publicly shake the hand of our Pastor as a signal to the youth in the community that peace can prevail even at the highest level. That is what this city, this state, this nation, and this world needs right now—PEACE and that begins with the leadership.

Thank you Cardinal George for doing the right thing and reinstating our Pastor and thank you, Pastor for handling this painful experience in a first-class manner and in the spirit of your mentor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy birthday, Pastor. I can’t wait to get to church Sunday. I just can’t wait for this joyous celebration….

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host.