CHICAGO () — Supporters of Father Michael Pfleger are urging the Archdiocese of Chicago to overhaul how it responds to sexual assault allegations, saying a letter delivered to church leaders is aimed at broader reforms and not solely at defending the longtime pastor of St. Sabina Church.
The nearly three-page letter, read Friday morning at St. Sabina Church and addressed to the Archdiocese of Chicago, calls for changes to the investigative process for sexual assault claims. Supporters said they want independent voices and experts involved in reviews, regular assessments of existing policies, more transparency and a process that protects the dignity of both the person making an allegation and the person accused.
The show of support comes as the Archdiocese of Chicago investigates a new allegation that Pfleger sexually abused a minor.
“He remains unbending in his stance that he is innocence,” parishioner Rickey Harris said.
Supporters said the latest claim is the fifth time Pfleger has faced accusations of sexual misconduct. They said earlier allegations were determined to be unfounded and argued that Pfleger was removed from his role before an investigation had been completed.
“After experiencing this process three separate times, we are no longer convinced that these are isolated difficulties,” said Felicia Chase, chairperson of the St. Sabina Family Parish Council.
Former State Sen. Jacqueline Collins sharply criticized the existing process, saying, “It allows for falsehood and lies be weaponized by Father Pfleger’s haters.”
Supporters also said the newest allegations involve claims dating back more than 30 years. They argue the accusations are part of an attack on Pfleger tied to his advocacy for underserved communities.
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“The last time he asked for this process to be reviewed,” Harris said.
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Demetric Brown, a Pfleger supporter, defended the pastor’s character.
“He is genuine. He’s real, and he loves us, and he loves the community,” Brown said.
In a statement provided to ABC 7, the Archdiocese of Chicago said, “We are committed to following the same thorough and impartial process with everyone so accused. Only by doing this can we be assured of fairness to all concerned.”
The letter was delivered directly to the archdiocese by Cory Williams, Pfleger’s assistant of nearly 27 years.
“I’ve been around him as a child and as an adult. I’ve never seen anything that would give me pause or wonder about his innocence,” Williams said.
When asked who would review the letter, the archdiocese said it was confident the document would move through the appropriate internal process.
