"I have asked Father Pfleger to take the next two weeks to prepare himself spiritually and emotionally to return, realizing that these months have taken a great toll on him," Cupich wrote. "He has agreed to do so." Cupich thanked the St. Sabina community for their "patience and prayers during the absence of your senior pastor." In January, the Archdiocese of Chicago asked Pfleger to step aside from his ministry after receiving an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. The accuser's sibling came forward later that month with a second allegation of abuse. Pfleger’s counsel forcefully responded, calling the allegations “false” and accusing the brothers of trying to “shake down” Pfleger in the case.