The Archbishop of Chicago (United States), Cardinal Blase Cupich, has temporarily removed from ministry the priest Michael Pfleger, one of the best-known presbyters in his archdiocese for his long-standing social activism, after the Office for the Investigation and Review of Abuse against Minors received a complaint alleging sexual abuse of a minor that occurred more than thirty years ago at St. Sabina Parish.
The decision was communicated by Cupich himself in a letter addressed to the parish community. In it, he informs that Pfleger must step away from ministry and reside outside the parish while the investigation proceeds. The archbishop also notes that the priest “has categorically denied the allegation.”
Investigation Underway
According to the cardinal, the complaint has been forwarded to civil authorities, in accordance with the archdiocese’s child-protection protocols. The complainant has also been offered the services of the diocesan victim-assistance ministry.
“We do not presume the truth or falsehood of an allegation until the process has concluded and our Independent Review Board has made a recommendation that I accept. Only through a thorough and impartial review can we ensure justice for all parties involved,” Cupich states in his letter.
The archbishop adds that “the well-being of the children entrusted to our care is our primary concern” and reminds readers that the archdiocese encourages anyone who has suffered abuse or inappropriate conduct by clergy, religious, or church employees to file a complaint.
For the duration of the process, Father Thulani D. Magwaza will continue to lead St. Sabina Parish and attend to the pastoral needs of the community.
A Priest with Significant Public Profile
Michael Pfleger, 76, has been pastor of St. Sabina since 1981. The parish, located on Chicago’s South Side—an area with a predominantly African-American population that has long faced high levels of poverty and violence—has become, under his leadership, one of the best-known Catholic communities in the United States for its intense social engagement.
For more than four decades, Pfleger has led campaigns against gun violence, drug trafficking, and crime, while also promoting initiatives to support the homeless, people with substance-use disorders, and other vulnerable groups. His commitment to social and racial issues has given him notable public visibility both inside and outside the U.S. Church.
His career has also been marked by various controversies. In 2011 he was temporarily suspended by then-Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Francis George after threatening to leave the priesthood if he were transferred from St. Sabina. After apologizing, he was reinstated. In 2019, Cardinal Cupich publicly criticized his decision to invite Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan to speak at the parish.
The Priest Rejects the Allegations
After the archbishop’s decision became public, Pfleger issued a statement describing the complaint as “an absolute lie” and stating that he does not recall the person making the accusation.
The priest also argued that the procedure followed by the archdiocese is unfair to priests under investigation. “The presumption of innocence does not exist for priests,” he wrote.
Pfleger attributed the complaint to attacks he says he has received for years because of his social activism and his criticism of the current U.S. administration. Among other recent actions, he mentioned a liturgical celebration in which he washed the feet of and asked forgiveness from representatives of Indigenous peoples, Hispanics, African Americans, members of the LGBT community, Iranians, Venezuelans, women, and young African Americans for the persecutions they have suffered in the United States.
Not the First Investigation
This is not the first time Michael Pfleger has been investigated for allegations of this nature. In 2021 the archdiocese examined accusations brought by three men, and a year later a fourth complaint. After both processes concluded, the investigations were closed and the priest returned to ministry.
In his letter to the faithful, Cupich recalled that the St. Sabina community “has gone through this situation before” and expressed confidence that the procedure followed by the archdiocese “has proven effective in protecting the rights of all parties,” while asking for prayers for the parish during the investigation.