Caregiver removed in new sex abuse lawsuit

CHICAGO — The Archdiocese of Chicago released a statement Saturday letting parishioners at a South Side church know a pastor has been removed while an allegation of child sex abuse is being investigated.

Cardinal Blase Cupich authored the letter — addressed to the Saint Sabina congregation — telling them that the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Child Abuse Investigations and Review had received another allegation of child sexual abuse against Father Michael Pfleger.

According to Cupich, the abuse is said to have taken place over 30 years ago and Ms. Pfleger has been asked to withdraw from the ministry and live outside the community while the allegation is investigated. The allegation was also reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

It’s not the first time nurses have faced allegations of sexual abuse. A year ago, Pfleger was admitted back to St. Sabina Church after two brothers and a third man made allegations that Pfleger had sexually abused him when he was 18.

Father David Jones will act as temporary administrator until Father Thulani Magwaza returns in November, who will then act as administrator and look after the parish of St. Sabina and the school community in Fr. nurse’s absence.

“The well-being of the children entrusted to our care remains our priority,” Cupich said in the statement. “The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and encourages anyone who has been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay person to come forward.”

For more information on reporting sexual abuse within the Church, visit the Archdiocese of Chicago website here.