I was extremely distressed by your coverage of the allegations against Father Pfleger in your July 14 article “Pfleger removed amid sexual abuse investigation.” Per the article, Pfleger has previously been accused of sexual abuse, in addition to the current allegations. Each time he has been accused, an investigation from the Catholic church has cleared him.
The reporter quoted Pfleger himself complaining about how unfair the policies of investigation are, and posited that people are out to destroy him and to get money from the archdiocese. Then the article described the support among his parishioners and calls for his return.
Nowhere in the article was the other perspective mentioned, including that the Catholic church has a long history of covering up sexual abuse by priests. No matter how popular a priest is, we must be disturbed that the same man is being repeatedly accused. While victims must be protected, it would have simple to reach out to the Survival Network of those Abused by Priests for a statement on behalf of the accusers or others in their position.
Your choice of coverage has continued to empower this already powerful man. He has posted on Facebook complaints how unfair the investigation process is to priests. I have no words for how twisted and demented I find this.
My heart goes out to anyone who was potentially victimized this man, and I applaud those who are brave enough to come forward. I wish your reporting did these people justice instead of aggrandizing the accused.
Katharine Sims-Drew
Homewood