Cardinal Cupich reinstates Father Pfleger at St. Sabina after review board clears him

Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, reinstated Father Michael Pfleger as senior pastor of St. Sabina Church on the city's South Side on September 1, 2026. The decision followed the conclusion of a review board, which found no reason to consider the priest guilty of an allegation that he sexually abused a minor more than 30 years ago.

In a statement issued on August 24, Cupich said Pfleger had been exonerated after an investigation by an "independent review board." "In this case, the Review Board has concluded that there is no reason to believe that Father Pfleger is guilty of this allegation," Cupich said. "After careful consideration, I have accepted its conclusion and have reinstated Father Pfleger to his ministry at St. Sabina, effective immediately."

A history of multiple allegations

Pfleger has faced several allegations over the years, five of them since 2021. They have included claims that he sexually abused two brothers when they were minors, which led to his suspension in January 2021. He was reinstated two months later after a finding that there were no "sufficient reasons" to suspect he was guilty.

In the fall of 2022, Pfleger was suspended again over new allegations. He was restored to ministry before Christmas after the review board cleared him.

Open challenge to Catholic doctrine

Pfleger has challenged Catholic doctrine openly on many occasions, promoting the "ordination" of women and raising the possibility of a "woman pope." In one video, he said he "did not need a pope." He has also supported pro-abortion politicians. His backing of former President Barack Obama in 2007 drew a rebuke from then-Cardinal Francis George, who required him to take a "temporary leave."

Pfleger has allowed pro-abortion figures to preach at his parish and has celebrated Masses involving liturgical abuses. In 2011 he was suspended again over combative comments about whether he would remain in the church, and was restored after he apologized.

Recent political activism

At a news conference in June 2026, Pfleger criticized President Donald Trump, telling him to "shut up" and to restore federal funding to fight gun violence in Chicago, amid shootings that left several people dead and wounded in the city.