CHICAGO—Hundreds of St. Sabina parishioners and community leaders gathered July 17 to support Father Michael Pfleger and call for changes to the Archdiocese of Chicago’s handling of abuse allegations after the longtime pastor was directed to step aside and live away from the parish.
The archdiocese said its Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review received an allegation that Father Pfleger allegedly sexually abused a minor more than 30 years ago. Father Pfleger denied the allegation in a written statement.
“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 51 years of my ministry I have been threatened, slandered, and attacked.
I was suspended twice because of my calling out of racism and suspended for unfounded accusations. My background has been investigated from high school, college, graduate school, and all the years of my ministry and all accusations were determined to be unfounded,” continued Father Pfleger’s statement, which was posted on his Facebook page,
“I have been publicly attacked due to my public positions against gun violence, my opposition against the inhumane policies and practices of Donald Trump, and even because of my friendship with Minister Farrakhan,” the statement continued.
Father Pfleger also stated, “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 spend 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.” He stated the removal of a priest before an investigation or conversation with the accused does away with the existence of the “presumption of innocence.”
During the July 17 gathering an news conference at the Auburn Gresham church, Felicia Chase, chairperson of the St. Sabina Family Parish Council, read a letter calling for independent experts in the review process, greater transparency and protections for the dignity of both accusers and the accused.
“We have concluded that the policy itself requires serious examination and meaningful reform,” Ms. Chase said as parishioners responded with applause and shouts of “Amen.”
“Justice cannot exist if fairness is extended to only one side of the process,” she added.
The Archdiocese of Chicago said it is “committed to following the same thorough and impartial process with everyone so accused.” In a letter to the parish, Cardinal Blase Cupich said the process is intended to ensure fairness to everyone involved.
Supporters said the policy can damage the reputation of an accused priest before investigators determine whether an allegation is credible.
“It allows for falsehood and lies to be weaponized by Father Pfleger’s haters,” said former Illinois state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, whose remarks drew a standing ovation.
“He’s remaining unbending in his stance that he is innocent,” said Rickey Harris, a longtime St. Sabina parishioner.
Supporters said this is not the first time Father Pfleger has faced such an allegation. They said previous allegations, including those investigated in 2021 and 2022, did not result in findings against him. They also questioned the decision to remove him before an initial review of the latest allegation.
Demetric Brown, another supporter, spoke about Father Pfleger’s relationship with the neighborhood. “He is genuine. He’s real, and he loves us, and he loves the community,” Mr. Brown said.
Father Pfleger did not attend the gathering, but his statement was read.
“I will not stand by and allow my name, my ministry and the church I pastor to be slandered or defamed,” the statement continued. Members of the audience responded with shouts of agreement.
The parish council’s letter was hand delivered to the archdiocese by Cory Williams, Father Pfleger’s assistant for nearly 27 years. Mr. Williams, who has known the priest since childhood, spoke about his personal experience with him. “I’ve never seen anything that would give me pause or wonder about his innocence,” Mr. Williams said in an interview with a local TV station.
Parishioners also said the investigation has diverted attention from poverty, homelessness, violence and other problems affecting the community.
In his closing message to the parish from a letter dated July 13, Father Pfleger said he did not want the investigation to consume the congregation.
“I want you to know that I do not intend to let this drag on and drain this church family. … This battle is the Lord’s!” he wrote.