State Says Sex Abuse Claims Against Father Pfleger 'Unfounded'

CHICAGO — State authorizes notified activist priest, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, that allegations that he sexually abused two boys in the 1970s were "unfounded."

Pfleger received a letter from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Friday that says the agency's investigation found "no credible evidence of child abuse or neglect."

The letted stated: "After a thorough evaluation, DCFS has determined the report to be ‘unfounded.’ This means that no credible evidence of child abuse or neglect was found during this investigation and that your name will not be listed as a perpetrator of child abuse or neglect on the State Central Register. This does not necessarily mean that an incident did not occur. An incident may have occurred but the evidence did not rise to the level required to indicate for abuse or neglect as dictated by state law and DCFS administrative rule."

MORE ON PATCH: St. Sabina Parish Pushes Archdiocese To Reinstate Father Pfleger

On Tuesday, Pfleger made his first public statement since two men accused him of sexually abusing them five decades ago.

"I am innocent of these False [Allegations]. When this is over, which I hope is soon I will have much more to say," he wrote in a Twitter post.

Supporters of the ousted St. Sabina pastor say the finding should be enough to allow Pfleger to return to his ministerial duties, and alleged the Chicago Archdiocese of intentionally delaying its investigation of Pfleger, putting the South Side parish's finances and future in jeopardy.

Archdiocese officials have said that DCFS's report should not be considered a finding of guilt or innocence. A church investigation continues and Pfleger will not be allowed to return to his ministerial duties at St. Sabina, the Sun-Times reported.