BEVERLY — The Rev. Michael Pfleger will be part of a panel discussion on Chicago violence from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at St. Barnabas Parish.
The Rev. David Kelly, executive director of Precious Blood Ministries of Reconciliation, and Chicago Police Chief Eugene Williams will join the pastor of St. Sabina Church in the discussion at the Catholic church at 10134 S. Longwood Drive in Beverly.
The discussion was organized by the "Thou Shalt Not Murder" campaign. The group is made up of about a dozen religious and community leaders from the 19th Ward who sought to create a dialog in the wake of the rash of bloodshed throughout the city.
News of Pfleger's invitation to speak at the event sparked an outcry on neighborhood Facebook pages earlier this month. Several posts suggested withholding weekly contributions to the parish or pulling children from the elementary school.
The Rev. William Malloy, the pastor at St. Barnabas, said the concerns he received from parishioners generally centered on a Pfleger's reputation for being critical of the Chicago Police Department.
That said, he added that also received calls and spoke with members of the parish who were supportive of the event. Many appreciated the opportunity to hear from Pfleger directly as well as the other members of the panel, he said.
"I ask you to know that the ... event is not about Fr. Pfleger. He is one of several religious, community, and civic leaders who will address the issues of violence that threaten our neighborhoods," Malloy wrote in a letter to parishioners Feb. 3.
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