Yet another Pfleger hullabaloo-who?

Manya Brachear in her blog, Chi Trib’s only coverage of the latest Pfleger episode:

Pfleger’s flock fears that a new priest handpicked by Cardinal Francis George will dismantle anything that doesn’t adhere to church guidelines, but enriches their worship and brings them closer to God.

Careless, I hope. She meant to write “enriches their worship and THEY SAY brings them closer to God.” As I say, I hope she meant that. Otherwise, you have an unseemly, un-journalistic identifying with a subject, unworthy of her calling.

Moreover, she argues a position:

The mere fact that Pfleger is still at St. Sabina after nearly 30 years illustrates an exception to the rule that permits priests to stay at one church for two six-year terms, or up to 12 years. By-the-book Catholics have frowned on Pflegers exemption for years.

Unless “illustrates an exception” is a laboring of the obvious, that Pfleger has plowed his own path. We know that.

However, she has a good news item that I have not read elsewhere, though I suspected it:

[President of Leo HS Dan] McGrath [Leo alum, ex-Trib sports editor] said progress also has been made repairing the schools relationship with Pfleger, which had soured in recent years. [Italics
added]

It’s disconcerting, however, to read the lede:

The hullabaloo regarding whether the Rev. Michael Pfleger will stay at St. Sabina Catholic Church has become something of a traditional rite in Chicagos Roman Catholic Archdiocese, much like the 40 days of Lent. [Heh]

Here’s how it always unfolds: Rumors swirl with no one willing to confirm or deny them. His fans rally for him to stay. His foes rally for him to go. Non-statements are issued. The rumors are put to rest and everyone goes back to business as usual. Why do we care?

A blog is less formal, let-hair-down kind of writing, but no matter the venue, you don’t want to ask that question in the second paragraph article or item and then go on for many paragraphs more.

Flash: In a Breaking News story posted 20 minutes ago that draws heavily on the blogged one, Pfleger says he is writing a reponse to the archdiocese “but wouldn’t say to what he was responding.”

Stay tuned. Everyone loves a hullabaloo.