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January 17, 2007
Collars in the ring
Two priests make their choices known for '08:
Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life:
In a letter to his own supporters, Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said he intends to serve on the Advisory Committee of Brownback’s potential campaign for president.
Senator Brownback has not officially announced his candidacy, but has formed an exploratory committee.
The priest said he is making this endorsement in his personal capacity, and not in the name of any of the organizations he leads.
He said Brownback has his “unequivocal support.” He described the senator as “a hero for the unborn and one of the strongest and most consistent supporters of pro-life policies” since Brownback was elected to Congress in 1994.
Chicago activist pastor Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina:
Father Pfleger says he has known Senator Obama for 20 years.
"I think Barack Obama is in a class of his own. I think he is the best thing that has come across the political scene since Bobby Kennedy."
And just as Kennedy was vulnerable, Pfleger is afraid that Obama is vulnerable, too.
"When anybody comes with that much hope, whether it's a Bobby Kennedy or whether it's a Martin Luther King Jr., they do become vulnerable. They become vulnerable because they tell the country and the world that we can be better and we don't have to accept what is. And unfortunately, we live in a world where not everybody wants it to be different."
So Father Pfleger is out with a warning: "Do not touch this man," he says, "for if you do, you will answer to us all."
Original source for the story.
Wow. Thanks to a commentor for pointing out this ministry at St. Sabina's - I guess, as the commentor suggests - he's not kidding.
The Armorbearers Ministry consists of a group of God-called men who are responsible for protecting the anointing and the pastoral mantle that rests upon Reverend Michael L. Pfleger. This is accomplished through consistent prayer, fasting and personal assistance. The Armorbearers share an individual and collective desire to lay down their lives for the life of another, namely Pastor Pfleger.
Personality cult? Out of control, much?
Posted by Amy Welborn | Permalink
Comments
I know little about Brownback, but I have to shake my head over Father Pfleger's comments. Don't "touch" Barack Obama? Does he mean don't hurt him physically, or don't dare criticize him? I don't think Barack Obama is another MLK (a Robert Kennedy? Hmmmmm...)
Posted by: MissJean at Jan 17, 2007 2:17:31 PM
Father "Flakey" as he tends to be known in Illinois has been making these type of off the wall statements which threaten dire consequences to those with views differing from his own for years. He is the Catholic Jesse Jackson when it comes to his uncanny ability to do whatever it takes to gain some cheap publicity.
Posted by: Donald R.McClarey at Jan 17, 2007 2:23:34 PM
Both are valid options for these priests. Please let's not have a "who's the real Catholic" contest over this...
Posted by: Morning's Minion at Jan 17, 2007 2:32:56 PM
It's not that I couldn't figure out who they'd support, but I find the notion that they can separate their "personal" from their "public" lives rather specious. How is this different from those who wish to serve in a political office or those priests in the Philippines who want to rally for their favorite candidates and are forbidden to do so by the Pope?
Posted by: Janice at Jan 17, 2007 2:39:09 PM
But the World Wants to Know:
Is Barak STILL a Muslim?
Posted by: dad29 at Jan 17, 2007 2:45:06 PM
This seems like an insult to Fr Pavone to put him in the same class as Fr Pfleger. There is just such a gap in terms of how much respect these 2 priests have earned over the years. I wonder if Mr Obama would be more comfortable if Fr Pfleger were supporting someone else. He needs to distance himself from folks like that to have any chance.
Posted by: Randy at Jan 17, 2007 2:46:45 PM
Obama singlehandedly killed the Born Alive law in Illinois as a state senator, refused to let it come out of committee. This is beyond the pale. All the law mandated was that if a baby survives abortion it is protected under the Constitution and must be cared for. Obama killed it because of blind obedience to the abortion lobby.
I'm sorry MM, this is a clear case of one of the two not being a Catholic in any shape or form until he unequivocally repents of a position that is utterly barbaric. He has not only directly contradicted Catholic faith and morals, he has put himself beyond the pale of common human justice and natural law.
If he were to unequivocally repent of his action as a state senator, you and I could perhaps talk about his candidacy, MM. But until he does, I'm sorry, you are defending the indefensible.
Posted by: Dennis Martin at Jan 17, 2007 2:47:14 PM
I would prefer neither priest be a part of such an organization. It is just an invitation for scandal, regardless of how pious either candidate is.
Posted by: M.Z. Forrest at Jan 17, 2007 2:52:16 PM
Just to be clear about it, Obama opposed the Born Alive law not once but three times in 2001, 2002, and 2003. The first two times he was the only state senator opposed to it, speaking from the floor. The last time he killed it in committee.
These are not the actions of a stumbling, uncertain, wrestling with the matter seeker for a third way. These are the actions of a Man of Death.
Perhaps he has changed. I'll be glad to hear that he has. But he needs to come clean on this.
Posted by: Dennis Martin at Jan 17, 2007 2:53:05 PM
Obama is not a Muslim, he is a member of the United Church of Christ.
Actually, if these were our final two choices in 08...well, let's just say that we could do a lot worse.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
Posted by: JTFS at Jan 17, 2007 3:00:13 PM
Aside from his stand on the issues which makes him a non-starter for me, Barak is simply too young. The guy is only like 46 or something !!! That just does not seem to be enough life experience, much less political experience, to lead the most powerful nation on earth.
As for Brownback, the entrance of Ron Paul into the fray is definitely a setback for both of them. Too bad we couldn't have them on the same ticket rather than having to split votes between them in the primaries.
As far as separating personal an public lives, I don't get the impression that Fr. Pavone is trying to downplay his public endorsement of Brownback (in a sort of "personally opposed, but" way). I think all he wants to do is make it clear that he is making the endorsement on behalf of himself personally, and not on behalf of any group with which he is affiliated (eg, the Church, Priests for Life, etc.), as they may have members with different opinions. In other words, he is not saying Brownback is officially endorsed by PFL or the Church or anyone else. Much like if Peyton Manning came out personally in favor of Obama, he (and the Colts) would want to make it clear he is endorsing him personally, not as a spokesman for the Colts.
Posted by: c matt at Jan 17, 2007 3:03:41 PM
I agree with Mr. Forrest, a priest can not separate himself from the Church, it just can not be done. Priests and religious should be forbidden by the Church from publicly endorsing candidates for office.
As to the reason why they need to separate their public/personal lives, it is so they can protect that all important not-for-profit status.
Posted by: Christopher Sarsfield at Jan 17, 2007 3:05:31 PM
Please let's not have a "who's the real Catholic" contest over this...
I am not surprised you wouldn't want such a contest.
Posted by: c matt at Jan 17, 2007 3:08:23 PM
"When anybody comes with that much hope..."
If only the unborn had a voice. They must be bursting with hope at the prospect of an Obama presidency.
Posted by: Jason at Jan 17, 2007 3:12:00 PM
Well, cmatt, it is the integrity of the Church I care about, and on this, the vast majority of bishops would agree with me (I can could the dissenters one one hand). When I read stuff like this, I'm really really glad that you guys are in a distinct (if loud!) minority.
Posted by: Morning's Minion at Jan 17, 2007 3:18:09 PM
Pfleger is such a boob; there really is nothing to add.
Posted by: ken at Jan 17, 2007 3:23:02 PM
If only the unborn had a voice. They must be bursting with hope at the prospect of an Obama presidency.
I'll change that to "They aren't bursting..."
Sorry, been trying to root out sarcasm, just wanted to correct that.
Posted by: Jason at Jan 17, 2007 3:26:45 PM
It is exactly for the integrity of the Church that we are, and will remain, loud. Hopefully, we will not remain a distinct (current) minority.
Posted by: c matt at Jan 17, 2007 3:26:49 PM
I am stunned that a four-term state legislator, who has not completed his first Senate term, is put forward seriously as a war-time presidential candidate while having not one idea related to the aforementioned war (did I mention there's a war on?) other than to stop the President from doing, well, anything.
Or I would be if he weren't a handsome black Democrat with a higher ADA rating than Senator Clinton's.
Posted by: Ed the Roman at Jan 17, 2007 3:33:17 PM
When I got the letter from Fr. Pavone, I was disappointed. Yes, pro-life politicians must be supported, but not by priests nor religious.
I'm afraid that Fr. Pavone will lose some of his credentials for being partial to Brownback. Of course, as a priest, so will the Church too. It's impossible for a priest to be seen in a public activity as separate from the Church.
Posted by: Augustine at Jan 17, 2007 3:35:02 PM
Dennis Martin,
Can you provide links to public info on Obama killing the Born Alive Law in IL? I live in IL and I'd like to know more about his actions in that regard. I was not aware of it. Of course, his support of abortion is well known.
Thanks!
Posted by: Stephen Joseph at Jan 17, 2007 3:36:58 PM
BU$H=HITLER
(signed:) Morning's Todd, Esquire
(I have a macro for that: Ctrl F3.)
Posted by: Boko at Jan 17, 2007 3:41:58 PM
I said, "Pfleger is such a boob; there really is nothing to add." I will add, I disapprove of Fr. Pavone's actions as well.
Posted by: ken at Jan 17, 2007 3:48:38 PM
Pfleger has "armorbearers" listed as one of the myriad of ministries at his parish. Their job: "the Armorbearers share an individual and collective desire to lay down their lives for the life of another, namely Pastor Pfleger".
I guess he was not kidding when he warns us to watch out...
Posted by: Michaelus at Jan 17, 2007 3:58:59 PM
"I will add, I disapprove of Fr. Pavone's actions as well."
How come? I have something of a problem with it, too. I think if candidates want clergymen as advisors, there's nothing wrong with that. But I don't think this should be something Pavone announces publicly, and I don't think it's the sort of thing that candidates abuse--you know, asking Father what he should and shouldn't say during the race, and then forgetting the unborn once he's in office.
Posted by: ContraMundum at Jan 17, 2007 4:06:12 PM
