26 Facts About Michael Pfleger

Michael Louis Pfleger was born on May 22,1949 and is an American Catholic priest and social activist located in Chicago.

Michael Pfleger has been the subject of a number of controversies, mostly involving his public comments and activities related to his pro-Black stance on social issues.

Michael Pfleger was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago on May 14,1975.

Michael Pfleger has often collaborated and associated with African American religious, political and social activists such as Jeremiah Wright, Joseph Lowery, Jesse Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Cornel West and Louis Farrakhan.

Michael Pfleger's parish campaigned for the removal of tobacco and alcohol billboards from their neighborhood.

Michael Pfleger was charged with destruction of private property, but was acquitted by a jury in 1991.

Michael Pfleger has become one of the best known critics of The Jerry Springer Show, a controversial television program which was videotaped in Chicago.

Michael Pfleger later targeted radio personality Howard Stern in response to Stern's late 2005 advertising campaign to promote his move to satellite radio.

Michael Pfleger received criticism from Stern's fans, who questioned Michael Pfleger's commitment to freedom of speech.

In 2000, Michael Pfleger received international attention for encouraging his parishioners to buy time from prostitutes as a means of inviting the women to counseling and job training.

In 2001, Michael Pfleger fired racism accusations towards a mostly-white primary school athletic league, the Southside Catholic Conference, after they refused to admit Saint Sabina's parish school.

On March 28,2008, Michael Pfleger invited Jeremiah Wright, former pastor of then-US Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama, to deliver a blessing at Saint Sabina during a visit by poet Maya Angelou.

Wright had been criticized by Obama, academics and political pundits on the left and right for several controversial sermons, but Michael Pfleger came to Wright's defense.

In February 2003, Michael Pfleger generated controversy by inviting Al Sharpton to speak at a Mass during Black History Month celebrations.

On May 25,2008, Michael Pfleger gave a sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ, then presidential candidate Barack Obama's church, where he made controversial statements concerning Senator Hillary Clinton, Obama's opponent for the Democratic Party nomination.

On June 1,2008, Michael Pfleger released a longer apology to the St Sabina parish regarding the incident and its aftermath.

On June 3,2008, Cardinal George asked Michael Pfleger to take a disciplinary leave of absence from St Sabina.

Cardinal George had suggested Michael Pfleger take the position of president at Chicago's Leo Catholic High School, but Michael Pfleger said he would consider leaving the Catholic Church if forced to leave his parish.

Cardinal Blase Cupich thereafter apologized, reprimanded Michael Pfleger for inviting Farrakhan to speak at the church, and asked Michael Pfleger to visit the local Holocaust Museum to reflect.

On May 24,2021, following an investigation, the Archdiocese of Chicago said Michael Pfleger would be reinstated as pastor.

On October 15,2022, another abuse allegation was reported and Michael Pfleger again stepped away from ministry pending an investigation.

On December 10,2022, the archdiocese announced that its investigation was complete and the charges could not be substantiated, and Michael Pfleger was reinstated as pastor at St Sabina.

In 1981, Michael Pfleger adopted an eight-year-old son, Lamar, in defiance of Cardinal John Patrick Cody, who had threatened to fire him if he went ahead with the adoption.

In 1992, Michael Pfleger adopted another son, Beronti, who attended the University of Central Florida before his sudden death on May 20,2012.

Michael Pfleger says his son had been coping with an illness the past few years.

In 1997, Michael Pfleger became the foster father to Jarvis Franklin, who was killed by stray gunfire on May 30,1998.