A priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago has stepped aside from active ministry as the archdiocese investigates an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, Cardinal Blase Cupich announced in a statement published July 11.
“I write to share some difficult news about your senior pastor, Fr Michael Pfleger. The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review has received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Fr Pfleger,” said Cardinal Cupich in the statement.
The alleged abuse is said to have occurred more than 30 years ago at St Sabina, the parish where Fr Pfleger, 77, has served since 1981. He is currently listed as the “senior pastor” on the parish’s website. St Sabina, also known as “The Faith Community of Saint Sabina”, is a predominantly Black parish in Chicago known for its social and community outreach programmes.
