Priest who mocked Clinton in a sermon placed on leave

“Fr Pfleger does not believe this to be the right step at this time,” George said in the statement.

“While respecting his disagreement, I have nevertheless asked him to use this opportunity to reflect on his recent statements and actions in the light of the Church’s regulations for all Catholic priests.”

Video of a sermon Pfleger gave last month at Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ made the Internet rounds just as Obama’s presidential campaign was moving past controversial sermons that the candidate’s former minister, the Rev Jeremiah Wright, had given.

Obama recently resigned from the church, citing ongoing controversies there.

In the video, Pfleger makes fun of Clinton, Obama’s rival for the Democratic nomination, for crying during the run-up to the New Hampshire primary.