The Archdiocese of Chicago is continuing its investigation into a new allegation of decades-old child sexual abuse against the Rev. Michael Pfleger, the longtime pastor of St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham. This latest accusation, reported in early July, marks the fifth such claim against Pfleger in five years. The archdiocese has previously deemed four earlier allegations to be unfounded, but the investigation into the current claim remains active.

The new allegation involves an incident said to have occurred between 1993 and 1995 involving a girl who was a student at St. Sabina. Pfleger, who has denied the accusation, was removed from active ministry as the archdiocese’s Independent Review Board conducts its inquiry. A spokesperson for the archdiocese confirmed the investigation is ongoing but declined to provide additional details at this time. Cardinal Blase Cupich has stated that the allegation was also reported to law enforcement.

Pfleger, 77, has led St. Sabina since 1981, becoming the youngest pastor in the archdiocese at that time. Beyond his religious duties, he is a prominent activist on Chicago’s South Side, known for his work against violence and advocacy for racial and economic justice. Under his leadership, St. Sabina has served as both a place of worship and a center for community organizing, youth programs, and social justice efforts. Pfleger has forged close ties with religious leaders and civil rights advocates, including the late Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Leaders at St. Sabina have expressed support for investigating allegations of abuse but assert that the archdiocese’s current procedures unfairly penalize accused priests and their communities before investigations conclude. On July 21, parish officials submitted a letter to the archdiocese calling for reforms in abuse investigation policies. Among their key demands are greater transparency concerning timelines and procedures, expedited resolution of cases, independent review of allegations, and a tiered suspension policy that accounts for the age of the allegation and potential ongoing risk to children.

The archdiocese’s policy to remove priests from ministry during abuse investigations originated as a response to past failures across the Catholic Church to act promptly on such allegations. Since the early 1990s, accused priests have been temporarily suspended to protect children, allow investigations to proceed uninhibited, and maintain public trust. The policy includes a “one-strike” rule adopted in 2002, which permanently removes priests after a substantiated allegation. The Independent Review Board advises the archbishop on whether accused priests pose a continuing risk or can return to ministry.

St. Sabina leaders argue this approach can irreparably harm the reputations of innocent priests and disrupt their communities, particularly in cases involving allegations from decades earlier. The archdiocese maintains that temporary removal is a necessary protective measure grounded in lessons from past institutional shortcomings.

Pfleger’s previous investigations began in 2021, when two brothers accused him of abuse dating back several decades, an allegation he denied. A third accuser emerged later. Pfleger was removed from ministry but reinstated after the review board found insufficient evidence. In 2022, he faced another allegation and was again removed but later cleared. These prior findings have fueled calls from St. Sabina leadership for changes to the investigative process.

Currently, Pfleger remains removed from ministry as the latest investigation proceeds. The Independent Review Board will make a recommendation to Cardinal Cupich regarding whether Pfleger can resume responsibilities. In the interim, the Rev. Thulani Magwaza serves as the lead pastor at St. Sabina. Parish leaders have indicated they will await the archdiocese’s response to their requested reforms before determining their next steps.