Father Michael Pfleger's Full Statement

"I have never presumed to be anything but imperfect, but I pray I can still beat the drum of justice, even if sometimes I am off beat."

CHICAGO, Il (Catholic Online) - This is the full text of the statement issued by Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Catholic Church:

"Last Sunday, I was invited by Trinity United Church of Christ to come and preach on the topic of race.
I agreed to do so because of my love for Trinity, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Rev. Otis Moss, III and because all my life I have sought to deal with the reality of racism.

As I said, last Sunday, I have committed myself to tear down the walls that divide us wherever they stand.

In 1966, as a junior in high school, amidst all the hate and meanness that surrounded me in Marquette Park, I heard more than the voice of Dr. King calling for community over chaos. I heard that small voice from within that said, I am showing you this now, because you must spend your life trying to eradicate this.

The last few days have been the most painful days of my life, even more so than the murder of Jarvis, my foster son.

For years I have had to deal with media that have sought to define me and often times put me into their box or stereotype.

But that was the cost of being a public figure and for fighting in public battles. But this was a new level, when the world is meeting you for the first time from a dramatization in a sermon that I felt was in the sacredness of a sanctuary, among people who know me and then find a "You-tube" that in no way defines the sermon or the message that I preached, nor the person or pastor that I am. It is painful and shattering.

It is painful that as a result of this video over 3,000 e-mails of hate, threats, and name calling, who go so far as to ask you to kill yourself or take your life, greet you in less than 24 hours, and you are bombarded by mean hateful and racial name calling, yes, it is very painful.

It is also grieving to me when a 1.5 minute "YouTube" video becomes the headlines across the world of papers and news stations, while the tragedy and death of earthquakes, cyclones, and tornadoes that have taken lives of people around this world, while the killing of our children across the country and here in Chicago, and the easy access to guns have become stories on page 18 and 19, and while people are at my front door, looking for food to eat or gas to get to work, indeed that grieves me.

Brothers and sisters, racism is an explosive and sensitive sin in our world and it is against the command to love, and against the God of love.

I said on Thursday, I apologize for words that I chose. I apologize for my dramatization that was for many who do not know me, simply typical dramatics I often use in sermons.

I apologize for anyone who was offended and who thought it to be mockery. That was not my intent, nor my heart.

For whatever damage that was caused to any human being and for any offense felt, especially to any of the candidates or their families, I am deeply sorry, and I pray that my apology will be accepted even by those who say they won't accept it.

I am neither a racist nor a sexist.

I am constrained by this great Gospel that I have been called to preach, to be an agent of reconciliation, as well as a truth teller.

However -- we must, if we are to move forward and become who God has called us to be as a human family, we must be willing to have an honest and open discussion on race and justice, and it must be on the equal ground at the foot of Calvary.

We have as a Country done many great things, but we will never become a great Country until justice flows like a river and righteousness like a mighty stream, for each and every human life.

As for what is next, I ask that you wrap me in prayer -- I don't know.

I ask that you pray, that I still might be a voice of truth, in season and out of season, and that I might have the courage to bear whatever wounds that may cost.

As for my defining -- Dr. King, my mentor said, that he only wanted to be remembered as a Drum Major for Justice and indeed that is my only hope, and that is what I have tried to do since that afternoon in Marquette Park.

Hate me if you will. Hate my imperfect presentation. Hate my imperfect dramatization. Hate my imperfect articulation.

I have never presumed to be anything but imperfect, but I pray I can still beat the drum of justice, even if sometimes I am off beat.

Thank you."

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