As a parent whose child competes in Southside Catholic Conference athletic events, I can only express my deep sadness and frustration that St. Sabina is withdrawing from the conference. Our children were playing together as they should be. Somehow the simple wishes of children have been subordinated to the sword of confrontation that Rev. Michael Pfleger has brandished. Certainly there have been times, such as confronting stores selling drug paraphernalia or liquor companies wantonly posting billboards in the parish neighborhood, that this has been necessary.
But the children and parents of the South Side and south suburban parishes are not drug dealers or liquor companies. The sin of racism must be overcome. It is not overcome by stereotyping or holding our children back from a chance to meet and play with each other. Pfleger has sowed the seeds of confrontation with his fellow Catholics and now he cannot be surprised of the reaction.
