St. Sabina's Father Pfleger accused of sexual abuse of minor over 30 years ago: Chicago Archdiocese

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Father Michael Pfleger is facing an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, announced Saturday.

In a letter, Cardinal Cupich said the alleged abuse was reported to have occurred more than 30 years ago at Saint Sabina Parish, 1210 W. 78th Pl., in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

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"In keeping with our child protection policies, I have asked Father Pfleger to step aside from ministry and live away from the parish while the allegation is investigated," the letter read in part. "Yet, you should know that Father Pfleger strongly denied the allegation."

Father Thulani Magwaza will continue to serve as pastor of St. Sabina, the letter said.

Pfleger released a statement Saturday evening, saying in part, "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 the 51 years of my ministry I have been threatened, slandered, and attacked..."

"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 spent 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," Pfleger's statement continued. "Before an investigation or even a conversation has taken place a priest is removed and told to remain silent during their process. The presumption of innocence does not exist for priests. But at this point, I will no longer be quiet. I have no memory of this girl nor do countless others who have been at St. Sabina for those years. The statement she has supposedly made is absolutely not true, and the facts will show that this is just an attempt by someone who is either being unfairly manipulated by others to hurt my reputation, or who is simply trying to make money by making false accusations.

"I believe this is another attempt and another attack by those who have sought to destroy me for years and another attempt by someone to get money from the Archdiocese and to silence me.

"I will not stand by and allow my name, my ministry, and the church I pastor to be slandered or defamed."

Pfleger has faced multiple similar allegations in recent years, but was later reinstated by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

This is a developing story.