CHICAGO () — Parishioners at Saint Sabina are rallying behind Father Michael Pfleger after he was asked to temporarily step away from ministry.
The Archdiocese of Chicago said it is investigating a new allegation that Pfleger sexually abused a minor.
During Sunday morning services, members of the church stood and applauded in support of Pfleger as a letter from the archdiocese was read aloud. The letter stated that Pfleger strongly denies the accusation.
According to the allegation, a woman says the priest abused her when she was a child more than 30 years ago.
She is the fifth person to accuse Pfleger of sexual misconduct. Pfleger has been cleared in earlier investigations.
In a letter released Saturday, Cardinal Blase Cupich said the alleged abuse was reported to have taken place more than three decades ago at Saint Sabina Parish, located at 1210 W. 78th Pl. in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
“In keeping with our child protection policies, I have asked Father Pfleger to step aside from ministry and live away from the parish while the allegation is investigated,” the letter said in part. “Yet, you should know that Father Pfleger strongly denied the allegation.”
The letter also said Father Thulani Magwaza will continue serving as pastor of St. Sabina.
Pfleger released his own statement Saturday evening, saying in part, “On Thursday, July 9th, I received a call from the Vicar for Priests saying a woman who said she went to school at St. Sabina made an accusation that she was sexually abused by me at some time between 1993-1995. First, this is an absolute lie. For the 51 years of my ministry I have been threatened, slandered, and attacked…”
“Let me be clear, sexual abuse is wrong and I realize that the Catholic Church has a long history of not dealing with accusations and has spent a number of years putting strong policies in place, but I have said countless times I believe the current policy is wrong and unfair to the accused priest,” Pfleger’s statement continued. “Before an investigation or even a conversation has taken place a priest is removed and told to remain silent during their process. The presumption of innocence does not exist for priests. But at this point, I will no longer be quiet. I have no memory of this girl nor do countless others who have been at St. Sabina for those years. The statement she has supposedly made is absolutely not true, and the facts will show that this is just an attempt by someone who is either being unfairly manipulated by others to hurt my reputation, or who is simply trying to make money by making false accusations.
“I believe this is another attempt and another attack by those who have sought to destroy me for years and another attempt by someone to get money from the Archdiocese and to silence me.
“I will not stand by and allow my name, my ministry, and the church I pastor to be slandered or defamed.”
Pfleger has faced multiple similar allegations in recent years. He was cleared of any wrongdoing in each of the investigations and was later reinstated by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Saturday night, parishioners attending Mass at St. Sabina said it’s frustrating to see these accusations as they stand by Father Pfleger.
“It hasn’t changed anything about him,” parishioner David Jackson Jr. said. “I think this is really false.”
Pfleger will remain away from St. Sabina as this investigation continues.
The Archdiocese of Chicago says it takes all accusations seriously as well as the welfare of children entrusted in their care.
