CHICAGO () — Father Michael Pfleger has been accused of sexually abusing a minor, Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, said in an announcement Saturday.
Cupich said in a letter that the alleged abuse reportedly happened more than three decades ago at Saint Sabina Parish, located at 1210 W. 78th Pl. in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
Citing the archdiocese’s child protection procedures, Cupich said he directed Pfleger to temporarily step away from ministry and reside outside the parish while the claim is reviewed. The letter also noted that Pfleger has firmly denied the allegation.
Father Thulani Magwaza will remain in place as pastor of St. Sabina during that period, according to the letter.
Pfleger issued his own statement Saturday evening, saying he received a call Thursday, July 9, from the Vicar for Priests about a woman who claimed she had attended school at St. Sabina and alleged he sexually abused her sometime between 1993 and 1995. Pfleger called the accusation “an absolute lie” and said that over his 51 years in ministry he has been threatened, maligned and attacked.
In the statement, Pfleger said sexual abuse is wrong and acknowledged the Catholic Church’s history of mishandling allegations before adopting stronger safeguards. However, he argued that the current process is unfair to accused priests, saying they are removed before an investigation or conversation takes place and instructed to remain silent. Pfleger said he does not remember the woman and claimed others connected to St. Sabina during that time do not either. He maintained the allegation is false and said he believes the facts will show it is either an effort by someone being manipulated to damage his reputation or an attempt to obtain money through false claims.
Pfleger further said he views the allegation as another effort by people who, in his view, have tried for years to ruin him, as well as another attempt to secure money from the Archdiocese and silence him.
He said he would not allow his name, ministry or the church he leads to be slandered or defamed.
Pfleger has faced multiple similar allegations in recent years, but was later reinstated by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
This is a developing story.
