Father Michael Pfleger Faces New Accusation of Child Sex Abuse

CHICAGO — Embattled activist priest Father Michael Pfleger is sidelined again after new allegations of sexual abuse by a man now in his 40s came to light over the weekend. This is the second time as in many years that Pfleger has been accused of misconduct. Pfleger was returned to ministry last year after being cleared of similar allegations by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

In a letter to parishioners, “Father Mike,” as he is known to his predominantly Black parish in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood, said he was informed Friday by the Archdiocese of the latest allegations. The abuse was said to have occurred during the 1980s at St. Sabina.

Pfleger told his flock that the same attorney, Eugene Hollander, who represented two adult brothers from Texas that filed claims of sexual abuse against the popular priest in January 2021, “has found a new client to make different allegations against me.”

The 73-year-old priest has not been criminally charged. Pfleger denied the latest allegation against him of sexual misconduct with a minor. He called the Archdiocese of Chicago’s process of investigating priests against whom such allegations have been made “unfair” and that “priests are presumed guilty until proven innocent.”

“Let me be clear — I am completely innocent of this accusation,” he stated in his letter. “While I am confident that the new allegation will also be determined to be unfounded, this process is so unfortunate and so painful to me and the community I serve.”

According to Hollander, the accuser alleged that he was sexually abused in the 1980s while a member of the Soul Children of Chicago Choir, that rehearsed two or three times a week at St. Sabina. The alleged abuse happened when the boy between the ages of 13 and 17.

Cardinal Blase Cupich has asked Pfleger to step aside from ministerial duties and to live away from the parish while an investigation is conducted. Pfleger, the cardinal said, has agreed to cooperate fully with the request.

Cupich also told St. Sabina parishioners that the allegation was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and law enforcement offices, in accordance with the church’s child protection policies. The Archdiocese has also offered the services of its Victim Assistance Ministry to the person making the allegations.

“Knowing this is a painful time for your community, I assure you of my prayers,” the cardinal said.

The two Texas brothers, who are now in their 60s, made similar allegations last year. They said the alleged assaults were secrets that they didn't share with each other until this month after one of them filed a complaint with the Chicago Archdiocese in January 2021. The brothers claimed that they were molested over several years beginning in the 1970s at Precious Blood Catholic Church on Chicago’s West Side when Pfleger was a seminarian.

St. Sabina parishioners vehemently defended Pfleger in 2021 during an intensive investigation by Archdiocese investigators, the Archdiocese Review Board, DCFS and other authorities. During that time, a third man stepped forward, claimed he was molested by Pfleger when he was 18. Although no longer a minor at the time the alleged abuse occurred, the man provided an affidavit in support of the Texas brothers. Pfleger was eventually cleared five months later and returned to his pulpit at St. Sabina in May 2021.

The founder of the Soul Children of Chicago, Walt Whitman, Jr., said in a statement through his attorney that during rehearsals at St. Sabina, the choir always had chaperones and parents watching over the children.

“Dr. Walter Whitman and the Soul Children denounce the recent allegations and support Father Pfleger as a man of integrity,” Whitman's attorney Andrew Stroth said.

The firebrand, activist priest has been the subject of numerous controversies over the years, mostly due to his public comments. Pfleger has served as past of St. Sabina Catholic Church for the past four decades. During his time at St. Sabina, he has taken on the alcohol and tobacco industries, drug paraphernalia businesses, the NRA, white supremacists, right wing Christians and more, whom he said have tried to smear his reputation.

“I know I am a high profile person, an outspoken person and a controversial person. That has resulted in jealousy, attacks and hate,” Pfleger stated. “Rarely a week goes by where I don’t receive some hate mail. I have been arrested and sued … I have come to understand that, unfortunately, it is part of my life. Despite all that, I have always sought to stand up and fight for what believe is right for my community and for my faith whenever I see injustice.”

Related:

'Devastated' Pfleger Responds To Child Sexual Abuse Allegation
Brothers Detail Sex Abuse Accusations Against Father Pfleger
Fourth Victim Alleges Sex Abuse By Father Pfleger, Attorney Says
St. Sabina Parish Pushes Archdiocese To Reinstate Father Pfleger
Catholic Church Clears Father Pfleger Of Sex Abuse Allegations