Rev. Al Sharpton's speech at St. Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago on Sunday, Feb. 9, attracted a standing-room-only crowd of 1,200 people, as well as sharp condemnation and protests from pro-life and Catholic leaders and groups because of Sharpton's pro-abortion views.
Sharpton, who has announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for President, was invited to speak by Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of the predominantly African-American congregation, as part of its Black History Month Celebration.
During the week before Sharpton's appearance, area Catholics flooded Francis Cardinal George, archbishop of Chicago, with angry calls and e-mails demanding that he cancel the invitation.
Late Friday afternoon, the cardinal issued a press release indicating his support for the celebration of Black History Month but stating that he did “not approve of the invitation because of the Rev. Sharpton's present political candidacy and his pro-abortion stance.”
However, Cardinal George's statement concluded by saying that “making a case of this invitation at this time would be a futile gesture and a waste of effort.”
Catholic and pro-life leaders expressed shock and outrage over the cardinal's refusal to cancel Sharpton's appearance.
Among those was Karl Maurer, vice president and treasurer of Catholic Citizens of Illinois, who claimed the Sharpton visit was “in violation of canon law, IRS regulations, and [the cardinal's] own diocesan policy on pro-abortion speakers.”
Mary Anne Hackett, president of Catholic Citizens of Illinois and a leader of Illinois Right to Life, was also disappointed. “We want this pro-abortion preaching in our Catholic churches to stop. It is already 30 years late.”
Chicago-based Friends of the Unborn (FOTU) issued a press release critical of Sharpton's abortion record. “He was honored by NARAL Pro-Choice America at their Washington, D.C., 'celebration' of the Roe vs. Wade (anniversary) in January.” The release also noted that Sharpton responded to pro-life protesters at that event by saying that he normally did not cross picket lines but was happy to cross the pro-lifers' line.
The FOTU release went on to list statistics on black abortions: “Black Americans make up 13 percent of the population, yet 33 percent of abortions are performed on black women. These numbers are tantamount to genocide, and the leaders in the black community should be up in arms.”
On Sunday morning, the event drew approximately 20 protestors. Church ushers initially told the demonstrators to leave, but the protesters reminded them they were on public property and had a First Amendment right to free speech. The police were called, but the officers concurred that the protestors had a right to picket Sharpton's visit. Ushers remained outside, as did the police, while the demonstrators handed out hundreds of pro-life handbills to parishioners arriving for the morning service.
Initially, Pfleger's introduction of Sharpton centered on the protestors outside.
“Let me say first to all those protesting outside,” said Pfleger, “Welcome. I'd love to have them come in and hear Rev. Sharpton.” With parishoners applauding, Pfleger then asked ushers to go outside and invite the protestors in. None accepted the invitation.
Pfleger also referred to “hundreds” of e-mails and calls he received “of hate and threats” but said he loved those people anyway, adding that those who sent the messages “are going to have to answer for that some day.
“I also know that if Martin Luther King was alive today and going to speak,” said Pfleger, “they would oppose him, too.” Pro-life groups disagreed, citing MLK's pro-life views on abortion.
Like Pfleger, Sharpton began his remarks by acknowledging the pro-life protest.
“We may be on different sides of the pro-life/pro-choice question, but one thing we can agree on is that it is a sin not to love me after I'm here and not to love me 'til I die.”
(This article courtesy of Steven Ertelt and the Pro-Life Infonet email newsletter. For more information or to subscribe go to www.prolifeinfo.org or email infonet@prolifeinfo.org.)
