Walsh then invited Kimberly Lymore, an associate minister at the parish, to read a statement from the accused priest, in which Pfleger complained that “the process of the archdiocese today is that a priest is presumed guilty until proven innocent.”
The Oct. 15 announcement from the archdiocese marks the second time in two years that Pfleger has faced suspension because of a historic sexual abuse allegation. After three men brought forward allegations in early 2021, Pfleger was reinstated that June after a Chicago Archdiocese investigation concluded there was “insufficient reason” to suspect he was guilty of the allegations, which he had denied.
Pfleger will live away from his parish while the present allegation — which he also denies — is investigated by the archdiocese and by law enforcement, the letter said.
Walsh, who is not assigned to St. Sabina’s but celebrated the Oct. 16 Mass, introduced the cardinal’s letter at the end of the liturgy by saying: “I [inaudible] try and avoid this but I guess, alright, it’s nothing new. There’s a protocol that needs to be done every time one of these situations happens. I have to read you a letter.”
Throughout the Mass, Walsh had stated his support for Pfleger. At one point in the cardinal’s letter, after reading the line “The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously,” Walsh added, “Like we didn’t know that already.”
Saying that Pfelger was watching the Mass on livestream, Walsh directed the parishioners to look towards the livestream camera and raise their hands in prayer for Pfleger.