CHICAGO—Rev. Michael Pfleger, of St. Sabina Church in Chicago's Auburn-Gresham neighborhood, has been cleared a fourth time of a child sex abuse allegation, which the Archdiocese of Chicago has deemed unfounded.
The long-time St. Sabina priest was sidelined in July after a woman accused Pfleger of molesting her while she was a student in the parish grammar school in the early 1990s. Pfleger called the allegation an "absolute lie" and, like many parishioners, had no recollection of her ever attending the school.
According to a statement from St. Sabina, Cardinal Blase Cupich called Pfleger Monday night to tell him that the Independent Review Board found no evidence supporting the allegation. Pfleger was immediately reinstated to his parish after being removed from ministry and told to live away from the rectory while the investigation continued.
Cupich said in a letter Monday to St. Sabina parishioners that the Independent Review Board, assisted by the Office of Child Protection and outside investigators, thoroughly reviewed the allegation. The archbishop explained the process assures the public and the accuser as well as protects the rights and interests of the accused cleric, "especially if the board concludes there is no reason to believe the accused is guilty of the allegation."
"In that case, the cleric has the freedom to return to ministry without a cloud of suspicion over him. In short, no one should underestimate the value of an independent and disciplined inquiry, even if it is made public and requires a substantial amount of time."
Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archdiocese of Chicago
During his suspension, St. Sabina parishioners were steadfast in their support of their pastor, where Pfleger has served the the Auburn-Gresham parsh since 1981. Many parishioners described the latest allegation as "the crucifixion of Father Michael Pfleger."
Pfleger and his parishioners called for reform in the Archdiocese of Chicago's process of reviewing sex abuse allegations levied against clergy, which Pfleger says deems priests guilty until proven innocent.
"Thank you, God, and thanks to all who stood by me," Pfleger said in a post on Facebook, over the famous photo that accompanied Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan's announcement of his return to basketball in 1995: "I'm back."
Supporters joyfully greeted the news that Pfleger was returning to ministry, never doubting he was telling the truth in the first place.
"Hallelujah! That is it."
"Why they keep playing with Father Pfleger? That man is truly anointed, and he knows the man he answers to... Father Michael Pfleger—keep doing what you do for the people of Chi."
"Congratulations Father. The tragedy is how long it took to reach the right conclusion. But we have to focus on the positive: they got there!"
The embattled priest had been cleared of similar allegations and was removed from ministry in 2021, when he was accused of sexually abusing minors more than 40 years earlier. In 2022, Pleger was again accused of molesting a boy in the 1980s. Each time, parishioners staunchly defended the priest.
Pfleger and his attorney will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, in front of St. Sabina, 1210 W. 78th Place, Chicago.
Meanwhile, quoting Jesus, Cupich "recognized" the suffering of Fr. Pfleger and St. Sabina parishioners during the ordeal.
"Jesus tells us that being a disciple is about taking up our crosses and following him. Notice that Jesus redefines our sufferings in life. Sufferings are not punishments or even tests of our endurance for pain. Rather, Jesus calls them crosses and thus associates them with his own … As we carry our crosses alongside Jesus, He transforms our sufferings into something much bigger than we ever imagined. Our sufferings mean something. With Him we bring about the salvation of the world."
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