And Jesus wept: religion, race and politics
BY LIZZ BROWN
A few weeks back, Barack Obama announced he was resigning his church membership. A sermon delivered by a visiting priest at Trinity United Church of Christ was the last Trinity Church-related straw for Obama.
Although Obama described his departure from his church as personal, “... I was not trying to make political theater out of it,” his choice was largely reported as a political decision.
The media theorized endlessly on the political ramifications of his decision.
Some reporters suggested that Obama will now be able to put to rest the Reverend Wright political “problem.” Others said this move could be used by Obama to soothe and comfort white folks who were feeling a little queasy about the connection of Obama to Black Liberation Theology. In any event, most reporters and news entities concentrated on the decision of Obama and his family to leave Trinity United Church of Christ. Lost, as a result of this predictable journalistic fixation, was the “who,” “what,” “where” and “why” story of the man who delivered the sermon that changed our political world.
On May 25th, the Reverend Michael Pfleger, was introduced to Trinity’s Sunday congregation by their new minister Reverend Otis Moss. And almost 47 minutes later, at the end of his sermon, Reverend Pfleger shared an observation that captured the attention of the friends, foes and followers of Barack Obama:
“When Hillary was crying, people said that was put on. I really don’t believe that it was put on. I really believe she just always thought this is mine…’I’m Bill’s wife, I’m white, and this is mine. I just gotta get up and step into the plate.’” “And then from out of nowhere came, ‘Hey, I’m Barack Obama!’” “And she said, ‘Oh, DAMN. WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? I’M WHITE! I’M ENTITLED! THERE’S A BLACK MAN STEALING MY SHOW!!!!”
We all know that Barack left his church shortly after those words. What many may not know is that Reverend Michael Pfleger was asked to leave his church after those words.
Cardinal Francis George of the Roman Catholic Archdioceses of Chicago directed Reverend Michael Pfleger to take a leave from his own parish to “reflect on his recent statements and actions in light of the church’s regulations for all Catholic priests.”
It appears that the Archdioceses of Chicago wanted to move swiftly and decisively in the case of the words spoken by Father Pfleger.
Interesting - not too long ago, the same church, the same Archdiocese and the same Cardinal had an opportunity to move swiftly and decisively against the actions of another white priest.
Father Daniel McCormack sits in prison today after pleading guilty in 2007 to the molestation of black children. In August 2005 a distraught mother reported to the police that Father McCormack had molested her 8 year old son at the Our Lady of the Westside School where McCormack taught. The Archdiocesan Review board recommended that McCormack be removed. Cardinal George allowed him to continue teaching and coaching. According to Cardinal George, he did not act against McCormack because he had no information from law enforcement. Three months after Cardinal George refused to follow the Archdiocesan Review board’s recommendation, Father Daniel McCormack was arrested for molesting another child at that same school.
In all fairness to the Cardinal, one swift action was taken – Barbara Westrick, the principal who called the police after she learned of the charges of sexual abuse, was fired.
So why did Cardinal George allow the third largest dioceses in this country, to remain silent when black children were being molested by one popular white priest? And what propelled Cardinal George to act so swiftly to silence and punish another popular white priest who spoke in defense of black children?
Why now and why not then?
It appears that the discussion of white entitlement is uglier and more dangerous than the acts of sexual assault against children. Sadly, according to actions of the Church, white entitlement is a phrase that must be whispered softer than pedophile priests.
And that is the unfortunate place that we find ourselves when it comes to a discussion about race. When the church shuts its ears and eyes to their own members who want to pull us – kicking and screaming into the discussion of race, racism and white entitlement, generations suffer.
On May 25, 2008, Father Michael Pfleger, the man who delivered one of the eulogies at the funeral of Coretta Scott King, also said;
“And the church must be the one to say, ‘We have failed.’ Because people can come to church every Sunday and still hate. People can come to church every Sunday and still be racist. And sexist and classist. We have failed! That’s my conversation on race: THE CHURCH HAS FAILED!”
For that he was punished –
And Jesus wept.
You can e-mail Lizz at admin@lizzbrown.com.
