In a statement posted Wednesday on the Archdiocese of Chicago's Web site, the Rev. Michael Pfleger (FLAY'ger) says he was expressing his personal opinion but that he respects and follows the teachings of the church.

Pfleger is a popular pastor of a church on the city's South Side and a longtime activist who has protested everything from the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Washington's handgun ban to Jerry Springer's television show.

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On the Net:

http://www.archdiocese-chgo.org/