Priest, a controversial, anti-violence activist in Chicago who once garnered attention for his relationship with former President Barack Obama, is under investigation for the sexual abuse of a minor.
The Archdiocese of Chicago announced on Saturday that Father Michael Pfleger will be investigated for a new allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, according to a statement.
“Fr. Pfleger has been asked to withdraw from the ministry and remain away from the parish during the investigation of the allegation. He has agreed to fully cooperate with this request,” said Cardinal Blaise J., Archbishop of Chicago. Kapich said on Saturday.
The allegation was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and to law enforcement officials.
Pfleger is no stranger to controversy. He was once condemned for threatening to “sniff” the owner of a federally licensed gun store at an NRA protest led by Rev. Jesse Jackson in Chicago.
The Catholic priest has also faced heat for defending Obama’s own pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, known for his controversial sermons after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, as well as anti-Semitic Louis Farrakhan.
In 2019, the Archbishop of Chicago called Felger the Nation of Islam leader at St. Sabina Church in response to Facebook’s decision to ban Farrakhan from its platforms for alleged hate speech and Farrakhan’s more derogatory remarks about the Jewish community. Apologies after being invited to speak. on the pulpit.
Obama has tried to distance himself from Wright as well as Flagger. In 2008, Pfleger went after his Democratic presidential rival Clinton, accusing him of shedding tears before the New Hampshire primary because he thought, “There’s a black man stealing my show.”
Pfleger was reportedly suspended for two weeks and later apologized.
The Archdiocese of Chicago said on Saturday that Father Thulani Magwaza will serve as administrator and meet the needs of St. Sabina Parish and the school community upon his return from the family in early November.
Until then, Father David Jones will serve as temporary administrator.
“The welfare of the children assigned to our care is our priority,” the archdiocese’s statement said.
Roman Catholic father Michael Fleger poses at St. Sabina Catholic Church on January 9, 2009 in Chicago. (John Grace/Corbis via Getty Images)
Another charge against Pfleger surfaced in January 2021. In that instance, two brothers in their 60s say that Pfleger sexually abused them for several years in their 70s, according to Fox 32 Chicago.
As the TV station reports, Pfleger is best known in the Chicago community as an activist and civil rights leader.
Pfleger was also suspended in 2011 amid disagreements over a proposed transfer to a different parish. He has served as pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church since 1981, according to WGN, an independent TV station in the Windy City.
Fox News’ Sam Dorman and the Associated Press contributed to this report.