the Archdiocese of Chicago is reinstating father Michael Pfleger after he was accused of sexually abusing a minor more than 30 years ago.
Pfleger faced the allegation in October and stepped aside while the allegation was investigated. The allegation of sexual abuse was reported to law enforcement officials and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
“Father Pfleger has been asked to step aside from ministry and live away from the parish while the allegation is investigated. He has agreed to fully cooperate with this request,” Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich said on october.
Cupich said in a Saturday statement to the community at St. Sabina Church, where Pfleger is a priest, that there is no reason to believe he is guilty, according to FOX 32.
CONTROVERSIAL CHICAGO PRIEST AND ACTIVIST FATHER MICHAEL PFLEGER FACES NEW SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATION
Chicago Priest Father Michael Pfleger
(FOX 32 Chicago)
“The Review Board has concluded that there is no reason to suspect that Father Pfleger is guilty of these charges. Having carefully considered your decision, which I fully accept, I now inform you that I reinstate Father Pfleger to his position as Senior Pastor of the Santa Sabina Faith Community, Effective Immediately I want to acknowledge that these months have had a great impact on Father Mike and all of you, and I am committed to doing everything possible to restore his good name, Cupich said at the letter.
Pfleger’s reinstatement comes after a review by the “Office of Child Abuse Review and Investigation and outside investigators,” Cupich said.
CHICAGO CHURCH RALLES AROUND PRIEST AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
Father Michael Pfleger giving a sermon.
(FOX 32 Chicago)
Pfleger has previously been accused of sexual assault. In January 2021, he was charged by two brothers in their 60s who alleged that Pfleger sexually abused them in the 1970s, but the claim was later found to be unsubstantiated.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Roman Catholic Father Michael Pfleger poses at Saint Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago on January 9, 2009.
(John Gress/Corbis via Getty Images)
The Chicago Catholic priest is not new to controversy and came under fire for defending the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who is known for his comments after the 9/11 attacks, claiming that “America’s chickens are coming home.”
Fox News’ Pilar Arias, Danielle Wallace and Tyler Olson contributed to this report.
