Cardinal Francis George Addresses Father Pfleger's Statements at Anti-Gun Rally

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Cardinal Francis George has issued a statement about comments made at an anti-gun rally from Rev. Michael Pfleger, a well known activist priest. The two priests have openly disagreed on many issues.

The cardinal has been quoted as saying "Publicly delivering a threat against anyone's life betrays the civil order and is morally outrageous, especially if this threat came from a priest." This statement comes after an anti-gun rally on May 26, 2007, where Father Pfleger told the crowd that attended "We're going to snuff out John Riggio," and "We're going to snuff out legislators that are voting against our gun laws."

Father Pfleger maintains that he did not know that "snuff" had meant " kill", and that the reporters and police that were present at the rally did not interpret his statements as a suggestion for murder. He explains that he was only talking about exposing gun shop owners and politicians that supported them. The Riverdale Police that were present, said the rally was peaceful and no felt there was no need for further investigation.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who also was at the rally, said that gun associations were trying to take the attention away from gun violence by twisting Pfleger's comments.

The man at the center of this controversy, John Riggio , took Father Pfleger's statement as a threat, and has contacted his attorney, William Howard who's law firm is located in Chicago.

The Cardinal has been reported to say that it " was up to civil authorities " to decide if any threat had been made against John Riggio. Several priests from the Chicago archdiocese's are baffled and confused by the cardinal's statement. The cardinal's spokeswoman, explained that he was not giving into any pressure from members of gun associations.

The Illinois State Rifle Association also took Rev Pfleger's statements seriously, and issued a press release titled "Chicago Priest Calls for Murder of Gun Shop Owner." The leader of the association said he was writing to the archdiocese for an apology.