CHICAGO (IL)
WLS - ABC 7 [Chicago IL]
August 26, 2026
By Ravi Baichwal and ABC7 Chicago Digital Team
It’s been two days since Father Michael Pfleger found out the Chicago Archdiocese has reinstated him to serve at Saint Sabina Church.
A review board found no evidence to support accusations against him.
Wednesday, Father Pfleger is expected to speak about his return to St. Sabina after being cleared following an investigation into allegations of child sex abuse claims.
This is the fifth allegation made against Pfleger in recent years. All of them were determined to be unfounded.
Father Pfleger has been cleared to return to the ministry after claims that he sexually abused a young girl more than 30 years ago.
The Archdiocese of Chicago’s independent review board found no evidence for the allegation, concluding there was no reason to believe the pastor was guilty of any wrongdoing.
Cardinal Blase Cupich accepted the board’s decision which was aided by the church’s office of child protection and outside investigators.
As leader of the South Side Catholic church, Father Pfleger has become a national figure in the fight against gun violence who continues to have support from many communities.
The statement from the archdiocese had no information about the alleged victim who made the allegation. It also did not detail the nature of the accusation against Father Pfleger.