Fr. Pfleger prays with mothers of slain children

The suspended priest made a brief appearance for a special Mothers Day event in Chicago near his former parish, according to the Chicago Sun-Times:

On a bright Sunday morning, children around the city celebrated their mothers while a group of mothers gathered at St. Sabina Church to remember their children lost to violence.

For the past three years, the South Side church has been a Mother’s Day refuge for these women on what many call “the hardest day of the year.”

In an emotional ceremony, the mothers, who come from Chicago and suburbs, unveiled a memorial wall featuring photographs of more than 70 sons and daughters who have died. Located at 78th and Racine on the church’s lawn, it is a stark reminder of the loss these women face every minute of every day.

The Rev. Michael Pfleger greeted the mothers with hugs and words of support. He offered an opening prayer, asking God to “wrap your arms around each of these mothers. Hold them and make them strong.”

Pfleger, who has been suspended from his ministry by Cardinal Francis George, then stepped aside, allowing the mothers to reconfirm why they stand strong together.

“We are here to support each other and make sure the children are never forgotten,” said Annette Holt, who lost her 16-year-old son Blair four years ago. “But our goal is to change things so other mothers don’t join our sorority.”

You can read more here. And there’s also a short sidebar about Fr. Pfleger.