Chicago, IL

Fr. Michael Pfleger accused of sexually abusing child at Saint Sabina Catholic Church: lawyer

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2022

Fr. Michael Pfleger accused of sexually abusing child at Saint Sabina Catholic Church: lawyer

CHICAGO (WLS) — A brand new individual is accusing Saint Sabina’s Father Michael Pfleger of sexual abuse.

Chicago legal professional Eugene Hollander mentioned his consumer, a person in his late 40s, has filed a declare with the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The video within the participant above is from a earlier report

In an announcement launched Saturday, Cardinal Blasé Cupich mentioned Fr. Pfleger has been requested to step apart from ministry whereas an investigation is underway, and Pfleger agreed.

The person claims the abuse occurred when he was a member of the Soul Youngsters of Chicago choir within the Nineteen Eighties.

Within the declare, the person mentioned he was sexually abused by Pfleger on two separate events within the parish rectory.

Hollander mentioned the person is just not talking publicly concerning the investigation at the moment.

He’s the third man to file a declare with the Archdiocese of Chicago accusing Father Pfleger of sexual abuse.

In January 2021, two brothers filed a declare accusing Pfleger of sexual abuse. Months later, one other man submitted an affidavit alleging Pfleger touched him sexually and gave him medication and liquor within the Seventies. On the time, the three males have been additionally represented by Hollander.

Pfleger returned to St. Sabina in June 2021 after a five-month investigation by the Archdiocese and DCFS based mostly on allegations from two brothers. These allegations have been decided to be unfounded.

Father Michael Pfleger opens up about despair, suicidal ideas throughout abuse investigation

“Let me clear – I’m fully harmless of this accusation,” mentioned Pfleger in an announcement launched Saturday.

“Whereas I’m assured that the brand new allegation will even be decided to be unfounded, this course of is so unfair and painful to me and the neighborhood I serve.”

Cardinal Blase Cupich despatched a letter to the members of Saint Sabina informing them of the allegations towards Pfleger.

Cardinal Cupich additionally mentioned the individual making the allegation has been supplied the providers of the archdiocese’s Sufferer Help Ministry.

Archdiocese of Chicago provides dozens of latest names to record of clergymen, clergy accused of intercourse abuse

St. Sabina’s pastor, Father Thulani Magwaza will function administrator when he returns from his go to with household in early November, Cupich wrote. Till then, Father David Jones will function a brief administrator.

“The welfare of the kids entrusted to our care stays our precedence. The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct severely and encourages anybody who has been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, spiritual or lay worker to return ahead,” Cupich wrote.

An legal professional for The Soul Youngsters of Chicago and their long-time director, Dr. Walter Whitman issued a launch in response to the allegations.

“The Soul Youngsters of Chicago have a 40-year historical past of excellence and a disciplined deal with educating and empowering the lives of our youth. Throughout the rehearsals at St. Sabina, the choir at all times had chaperones and dad or mum attendants watching over the kids. Dr. Walter Whitman and the Soul Youngsters denounce the current allegations and assist Father Pfleger as a person of integrity.”

Father Pfleger’s Full Assertion:

Full letter from the Archdiocese of Chicago to St. Sabina Parish

Click to comment

Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.