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.
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.
Comments
PETER WALLER
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/09/2008
I HAVE BEEN A CATHOLIC FOR 50 YEARS. CHRIST HAS TAUGHT US TO FORGIVE AND TO TURN THE OTHER CHEEK. THAT IS
FINE FOR THE SHEEP. BUT THE SHEPARD, (PRIESTS, BISHOPS,CARDINALS AND THE POPE) ARE HELD TO A MUCH HIGHER STANDARD, FOR THEY AND THEY ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CORRECT TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH. WHEN THEY DO NOT, THEY PUT THTOUSANDS OF SOULS IN JEOPORDY. THIS IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD. THEY WILL SUFFER A PUNSUHMENT FAR GREATER THAN THE SHEEP FOR WITH KNOWLEDGE COMES GREATER RESPONSIBILITY. FATHER PFLEGER, I BELIEVE IS
AN ABOMINATION TO GOD. HE MAY EVEN BE MENTALLY ILL. CARDINAL GEORGE, YOU NOT ONLY HAVE THE DUTY BUT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT ONLY TAKE AWAY THIS PRIESTS FACULTIES BUT HE IS ONLY DESERVING OF EX-COMMUNICATON. NOW
YOU ARE ON THE HOT SEAT. YOUR INACTION MAY CAUSE THIS PRIESTS WORDS TO DIVIDE THIS COUNTRY TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT CIVIL WAR IS THE NEXT STEP. THAT MEANS CARDINAL, THAT YOU WILL HAVE COMPLICITY IN MASS MURDER. IF THAT HAPPENS, I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE YOU O
Interesting.
Let's shoot him!
Terry Masters
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/02/2008
This Priest is a threat to the United States. He is such a reverse "RACIST" that he himself along with OBAMA are positioning themselves to do away with all of the work that has been done in this Country to erase "RACISM". In Listening to his Rant, and Watching the response from the Congregation it certainly points out that "RACISM" has not been slowed down especially in this Black Community,
There is a far more threat of violence and killing in this man's words than in a gun who can lay in a cabinet or on a shelf for years and never harm a soul. This is the real threat to our nation. It is when people like this decide to take ?free? speech to this extreme and injure others with their own rage that hurts and destroys our country.
Leonard
(Guest)
(Guest)
05/09/2008
This priest is a theoogical idiot. Jesus told the apostles to sell their cloaks and buy swords. St. Alphonsus Ligouri said that there is nothing immoral about selling weapons, even if some of them will be misused.
scott
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/03/2008
This guy is an absolute disgrace to Catholicism!! He needs to go NOW!
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