Overview
- The Archdiocese of Chicago announced Saturday that its Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review received an allegation that Father Michael Pfleger sexually abused a minor at St. Sabina more than 30 years ago.
- Cardinal Cupich has asked Pfleger to step aside from ministry and live away from the parish during the internal review and named Father Thulani D. Magwaza to serve as pastor of St. Sabina.
- Pfleger issued a public denial calling the claim "an absolute lie" and said he believes the allegation is an attempt to damage him or extract money from the archdiocese.
- This is the latest of multiple decades‑old accusations against Pfleger that led to prior archdiocesan reviews in 2021 and 2022 that did not sustain findings, a history that shapes parish reaction and institutional handling.
- The archdiocese said it takes all allegations seriously and urged anyone with information to report to its Office for the Protection of Children and Youth while the civil and canonical outcomes, and any possible referral to law enforcement, remain undecided.