Chicago priest faces second removal following abuse allegation

A priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago has been removed from his parish after being accused of sexually abusing a minor, marking the second time he has been removed from ministry following such allegations.

Father Michael Pfleger was recently removed from St. Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago following the allegation, which stems from alleged abuse more than 30 years ago. He called the claim an "absolute lie," according to a July 13 article from WTTW News. 

Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago released the notice of the allegation in a July 11 letter saying a review would be conducted.

“We do not presume the truth or falsity of an allegation until the process is complete and our Independent Review Board has made a recommendation that I accept,” the cardinal said. 

He added that a thorough and impartial review will ensure “fairness to all concerned.” 

Father Pfleger was previously accused and placed on leave in 2022 after similar allegations were filed alleging he sexually abused two brothers in the 1970s. He was ultimately cleared by the archdiocese of any wrongdoing. 

Father Pfleger, whom the outlet described as a vocal social justice and anti-violence activist, posted on Facebook a July 12 statement denying the allegations. He characterized the allegation as the latest attempt to condemn and discredit him and his beliefs while also noting the immorality of sexual abuse. He also criticized the current policy for allegations as “wrong and unfair to the accused priest.”

“The facts will show,” he wrote, “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.” 

He added that throughout his ministry he has been "threatened, slandered, and attacked.”

“I get weekly hate calls and emails because of what I fight for and believe,” he added. “Just this past week I received numerous hate calls due to an action I took last Sunday washing the feet and apologizing to representatives of Indigenous People, Hispanics, African Americans, the LGBTQ+ community, Iranians, Venezuelans, women and young African American males for the persecution they have suffered in America.”

“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. 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."

In his July 11 statement, Cardinal Cupich assured parishioners of his prayers and acknowledged the parish's previous experience with similar allegations.

“As your parish has been through this before,” he wrote, “I can well understand your distress in learning of this development.” 

He urged parishioners to trust the archdiocese's process of investigation has “proven effective in protecting the rights of all.” 

The archdiocese said Father Pfleger will remain away from St. Sabina while the allegation is reviewed.