A newly reinstated priest in Chicago says he will not back down from his social activism and claimed that the abuse allegation made against him was motivated by his political beliefs at a press conference held outside his parish on Wednesday, August 26.
Fr Michael Pfleger, who was cleared of any wrongdoing following a six-week investigation by the Archdiocese of Chicago into a historical allegation of sexually abusing a minor, said the process of investigating abuse claims was “unjust, and it’s broken”.
“There is no balance, nor fairness. Without a simple investigation, a background check or even an interview, a priest can be removed and told to find a place to live and to find a lawyer to represent you at your own expense,” he said, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.
After he was suspended in July, Fr Pfleger claimed he was being targeted for his outspoken political beliefs and history of activism at the historically Black parish. Fr Pfleger has served at St Sabina Catholic Church, which is also known as the Faith Community of St Sabina, since 1981.
“While you have thrown dirt at me, you have simply caused me to grow deeper roots so that I can grow taller and I can bear new fruit,” said Fr Pfleger.
He continued: “I am not going to remain silent and I will not be silenced. In fact, I am going to turn up the volume on justice, on righteousness, on truth and on love.”
This was the fifth time in as many years that Fr Pfleger had been accused of sexual misconduct against a child. He was cleared of all previous accusations and reinstated.
In a letter announcing his reinstatement, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago defended the archdiocese’s procedures for dealing with an allegation of abuse, but also acknowledged that the parish community had experienced “real and painful” suffering during Fr Pfleger’s suspension.
“An independent inquiry assures the public and the person making the accusation of a fair and impartial review of all matters related to such cases. It also protects the rights and interests of the accused cleric, especially if the board concludes there is no reason to believe the accused is guilty of the allegation,” said Cardinal Cupich.
“In that case, the cleric has the freedom to return to ministry without a cloud of suspicion over him. In short, no one should underestimate the value of an independent and disciplined inquiry, even if it is made public and requires a substantial amount of time,” he said.
