Leaders and parishioners at Saint Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham are calling for the reinstatement of Father Michael Pfleger, who was removed from his role amid sexual abuse allegations. The allegations, which Father Pfleger has called an “absolute lie,” claim that he abused a girl when she was a student at Saint Sabina School between 1993-95.
Investigation and Response
The Archdiocese of Chicago has asked Father Pfleger to step aside from his role at the parish and live off campus while the accusation is investigated. Cardinal Blase Cupich stated that the archdiocese does not presume the truth or falsity of an allegation until the process is complete and the Independent Review Board has made a recommendation.
Parishioners have expressed their support for Father Pfleger, with some stating that the repeated investigations have caused “scrutiny, emotional anguish and damage” to his reputation. They have also called for reforms to the archdiocese’s investigation policy, including greater transparency and a more timely process.
Previous Allegations
Father Pfleger has faced four previous accusations of sexual abuse during his time at Saint Sabina. In 2021, two brothers came forward alleging that he groomed and sexually abused them for years, beginning when they were around 12 and 13 years old. A third man also accused Father Pfleger of abusing him in the 1970s when the man was 18 years old. Father Pfleger was reinstated after the previous allegations were investigated, with the archdiocese finding no evidence of wrongdoing.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
