The sex abuse allegations against Rev. Michael Pfleger

Father Michael Pfleger, the longtime pastor at St. Sabina Church and one of the most prominent priests in Chicago, was removed from the Auburn Gresham parish in early January following revelations of a decades-old allegation of sexual abuse against a minor.

“I am devastated, hurt and yes, angry, but I am first a person of Faith. I trust God,” Pfleger said of the allegation, which dates back 40 years.

Weeks later, a second person came forward with allegations of sex abuse as a minor by Pfleger. The person making the latest allegation, which dates back more than 45 years, is a relative of the first person who came forward, Pfleger’s lawyers, James Figliulo and Michael Monico, said.

“Father Pfleger has never abused them or anybody else,” a statement from Pfleger’s lawyers said. “These allegations are false and are simply being made for money. This is a shakedown.”

In March, a third man came forward alleging he was sexually abused by Pfleger.

Pfleger has served as pastor at St. Sabina Church since 1981. In the decades since his appointment, he has become one of Chicago’s most well-known voices against gun violence, leading annual “peace marches” that routinely draw hundreds of people, including Chance the Rapper and survivors of the Parkland school shooting.

The archdiocese is investigating.