St. Sabina parishioners push back against allegation Father Michael Pfleger sexually abused child

CHICAGO (WLS) — Sunday mass continued at St. Sabina Church with out Father Michael Pfleger.

Parishioners had been emotional as they returned for Sunday’s service, lots of them displaying their help for Pfleger as he faces one other sexual abuse allegation.

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“It is gonna be a loss. It is a scrambling feeling… we’re attempting to regroup and see now how can we assist him and we all know we’ll stand a thousand p.c behind him,” mentioned Joyce Wasner.

A person now in his 40s mentioned Pfleger sexually abused him whereas he was a minor inside this church within the late Nineteen Eighties.

The Archdiocese of Chicago is trying into the accusation, and Pfleger agreed to step apart from ministry whereas the investigation is underway.

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Parishioners mentioned they perceive how severe this accusation is, however are nonetheless strongly standing by Pfleger.

“It isn’t the reality. I do not perceive how they’re gonna come again with the identical factor once they went by his document the primary time. They went by with a fine-tooth comb,” mentioned Monique Stuckey.

Many parishioners at St. Sabina mentioned Sunday service simply is not the identical with out Pfleger. They mentioned the toughest a part of this investigation is shedding him for a time period, particularly since they’ve gone by this earlier than.

“We love seeing him after we come to the church and he opens the doorways. I imply, he is only a good particular person. He is only a nice man of God, and so they’re happening a vendetta as a result of he is serving to the African-American neighborhood,” Stuckey mentioned.

Saint Sabina’s Father Michael Pfleger accused by third man of sexual abuse

The accuser is the third man to file a sexual abuse declare towards Pfleger with the Archdiocese of Chicago. He confronted related allegations in 2021.

Pastor Tom Walsh led Sunday’s service, whereas providing a message to parishioners on behalf of Pfleger.

Father Pfleger’s Full Assertion:

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