Aug. 24 brought Father Michael Pfleger’s immediate return to St. Sabina after Cardinal Blase Cupich said an independent review board found no reason to believe he was guilty of the allegation.
The claim surfaced in July from a woman who said she had been a student at the parish school in 1993-95, prompting Pfleger’s administrative leave under archdiocesan policy.
More than 40 parishioners had urged reforms to the investigative process, saying repeated removals before findings were reached caused reputational harm, uncertainty and disruption at St. Sabina.
Cupich defended the inquiry as a safeguard for accusers, the public and accused clerics, while the parish said Pfleger and his lawyer will address the case at an Aug. 26 press conference.