Catholic Church Clears Father Pfleger Of Sex Abuse Allegations

CHICAGO — A Catholic Church review board has cleared the Rev. Michael Pfleger of decades-old child sexual abuse claims, clearing the way for his reinstatement as senior pastor at the St. Sabina parish, Chicago Archdiocese officials said Monday.

Pfleger was accused of sexual abuse by two brothers now in their 60s who claim the activist priest assaulted them when they were boys in the 1970s. An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services review of the allegations concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence to show that Pfleger was a threat, The Associated Press reported.

In a letter to parishioners, Cardinal Blase Cupich wrote the Chicago Archdiocese's independent review board found "no reason to suspect Father Pfleger is guilty of these allegations." Later the archdiocese sent a revised letter saying there is "insufficient reason" to suspect Father Pfleger is guilty of the allegations.

"Having given careful consideration to their decision, which I accept, I now inform you that I am reinstating Father Pfleger to his position of Senior Pastor of the Faith Community of St. Sabina, effective the weekend of June 5-6. ... I have asked Father Pfleger to take the next two weeks to prepare himself spiritually and emotionally to return, realizing that these months have taken a great toll on him. He has agreed to do so," Cupich wrote.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded to Cupich's decision at an unrelated news conference Monday.

"Pfleger is an important center of gravity in the Auburn Gresham community and I know he is a conscience for many of us around issues of gun violence that plagues way too many communities in this city. And he is an advocate, an advocate, for victims," the mayor said.

Lightfoot also said it was important to note that "people came forward and said they were victimized and they deserve to be heard."

On Facebook, a St. Sabina parishioner posted video of Pfleger being greeted by students.

One boy can be heard saying, 'It's different without Father Mike. He back now. Our father is back."

At a Monday news conference, Pfleger said he is "innocent of those charges."

"I want to thank you, those known and unknown, who believed in me, who prayed for me, who stood by me and believed in my and not the accusations against me," he said.

"This has been the most difficult and challenging time in my entire life. I have always kept my faith even during the most painful times of life. I have been frustrated. I have been angry. I have been depressed. And I have been discouraged. ... I'm a man of faith but I'm also a human being who hurts and how bleeds. ... There were some times that I would have [given up], but I love this church too much. ... I'm so relieved and glad this nightmare is over.

Pfleger said he received calls of support from "Chiraq" director Spike Lee, actor Nick Cannon and political activist Cornell West after word got out that he would be allowed to return to St. Sabina.

The activist priest said he plans to return to his pastoral duties "more embolden, stronger and ready to fight" for justice in Chicago.

"I don't want people to think I'm gonna come back, and he's been told just to calm down," Pfleger said. "No, you can't calm down Mike Pfleger."