The Saint Sabina Church community is once again torn over a sexual abuse allegation against the flock’s longtime leader, the Rev. Michael Pfleger.
It’s the fifth decades-old accusation against the South Side priest in four years, though each has ended with Pfleger being cleared by the Archdiocese of Chicago and returning to the helm. Pfleger called the most recent allegations “another attempt by someone to get money from the archdiocese and to silence me.”
Cardinal Blase Cupich announced the accusation and corresponding investigation in a letter Saturday. He recognized church members may be distressed but asked them to let the investigation conclude, saying the church’s policy “has proven effective in protecting the rights of all.” The Archdiocese Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review said the allegation was reported to law enforcement, per its policies.
Angela Walker, executive director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, suggested that the accuser report their allegations to law enforcement as opposed to the church, which she said has a history of “sweeping accusations under the rug.”
“We really are advocating people go to the authorities,” Walker said. “This needs to be treated like a crime.”
Pfleger was first removed from the pulpit in January 2021 amid separate allegations, returning that June with a three-hour service where he said his reputation would likely be tarnished to some forever. He was temporarily removed again in October 2022 before being cleared by the church three months later, when he returned again that December.
Three people who previously accused Pfleger of misconduct didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Walker said survivors sometimes struggle to come forward against church officials because they face being doubted by their fellow parishioners.
“If your church has been a part of your community, it is very challenging” to come forward, Walker said. “Having gone through this trauma, and then not being believed and being attacked, is a horrible thing. Sometimes a community of faithful will rally around the abuser instead of the survivor.”
Some members of St. Sabina told the Sun-Times they are standing by Pfleger while the investigation proceeds.
Robin Patterson, 50, attended St. Sabina schools kindergarten through eighth grade and has lived down the street from the church since she was 5 years old. She said, in her experience, Pfleger did not interact with kids much. She echoed Pfleger’s previous claim he was being targeted for political and monetary gain.
“They payin’ somebody to do this again,” Patterson said outside the church Monday afternoon. “They want him out. It’s just a shame. … I hope he’s cleared and back here soon.”
Rachel Giles, who is part of another parish but occasionally attends St. Sabina events, felt the same. The Auburn Gresham resident of 7 years said Pfleger’s community marches against gun violence have made an impact, and while other church staff may pick up the mantle in the meantime, she was waiting for an uptick in crime.
“He does too much good for the community,” Giles said. “He’s the last hope we got.”
Walker, of the Survivors Network, hopes the wider community will start to see the pattern in the repeated allegations and call for action.
“We’re talking about two decades of accusations. And rather than taking this at face value and investigating it and removing him, he’s been reinstated,” Walker said. “I think the community is going to demand his removal.”