Archdiocese Scolds Father Pfleger

Uh oh! Rev. Pfleger got his hand spanked by the Archdiosese of Chicago over his comments about Hillary Clinton last Sunday. But he promises not to do it again.

... Cardinal Francis George of the Archdiocese of Chicago issued a press release Friday in which he criticized both Pfleger's involvement in a political campaign and a "personal attack" on Clinton. George said Pfleger has promised not to campaign or even mention any candidate by name.

All of that aside, the Father has taken on some impressive challenges over the years and if people want to call him crazy, he'll probably cop to it given the battles he's faced to rid the community he serves of vice and violence. Wannabe brother preacherman or not, I commend the body of his good works:

Pfleger has invited criticism with his words and actions in the past, even before Sunday's fiery sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ.

He has hit the streets, sometimes with busloads of parishioners in tow, to protest Jerry Springer's television show, stores that sell drug paraphernalia and gun violence. He's been arrested for acts of civil disobedience, such as smearing red paint on alcohol and tobacco billboards. Last year, he and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were arrested during a protest of a suburban gun shop; charges were later dropped.

Pfleger's fight to make the community safe is an intensely personal one. He's adopted three children, one of whom was gunned down near the church in 1998.

Pfleger has urged parishioners to pay prostitutes and drug users so they could share their faith with them. He has offered his church as a place where controversial figures can express their views. Farrakhan spoke there, as did the Rev. Al Sharpton.

At times, there has been talk of diocesan officials reassigning Pfleger, but he is immensely popular in his parish and has helped it thrive over the past quarter-century as many other congregations have struggled.

In March, as Wright's inflammatory comments were making national headlines, St. Sabina gave Wright a hero's welcome after Pfleger invited him to give the benediction.

And in early May, Pfleger posted a letter on the parish Web site calling Obama and Wright "two friends who I respect, admire and have a deep love for." He wrote that neither man should be held accountable for the other's words.

"The truth is we need Senator Barack Obama and we need Reverend Jeremiah Wright and, if we are serious about wanting a new America, we cannot afford to throw either one of them under the bus!"