Pastor Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor While On Staff At Des Plaines School: Archdiocese
CHICAGO — Father David Ryan, a former staff member at Maryville Academy, is facing new allegations of sexual abuse of a minor from 30 years ago when he worked at the Des Plaines child care organization. In a letter sent to members of St. Francis de Sales parish in Lake Zurich Tuesday, where Ryan currently serves as pastor, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced it has removed him from the ministry as an investigation into the allegation continues. "While I recognize that your parish and Father Ryan have past experience with our processes for handling allegations, the archdiocese must take seriously the obligation to investigate all allegations, including this one," Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, said in the letter. In 2021, an independent archdiocese investigation determined similar allegations made against Ryan while he was at Maryville Academy were "unfounded" and he was reinstated after stepping down the prior year. RELATED: Lake Zurich Pastor Suspended Again After New Evidence In Sexual Abuse InvestigationOn Tuesday, Cupich said Ryan will refrain from all parish and school activities until the investigation concludes. Father Steven Lanza has been appointed to serve as administrator in Ryan's absence. "At the same time, you should know that he strenuously denies this allegation, and states that he has never harmed a child," Cupich said of Ryan. As of Tuesday afternoon, Ryan's biography remains on the St. Francis de Sales website. According to the bio, Ryan, who was raised in Jacksonville (Illinois), was ordained as a priest in 1979. Six years later, he was named assistant executive director of Maryville Academy and incardinated as a priest of the Chicago Archdiocese in 1989. In 2003, Ryan was named acting executive director of Maryville Academy.During his time at Maryville, Ryan served the Maryville Mission with Father John P. Smyth, and advocated "for the necessary programs and protection of abused, abandoned and neglected youth in Chicago and Illinois" through 20 Maryville sites in Des Plaines, Chicago, Bartlett, Maywood, Durand and a summer camp in Eagle River, Wisconsin. At the time, Maryville was serving 1100 infants, children and youth with a staff of 900 and an annual budget of over $60,000,000, according to Ryan's biographyRyan also served as assistant director of the Catholic Youth Organization of the Archdiocese of Chicago when appointed in 1991 by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin. In 2005, Ryan was assigned as parochial administrator of St. Emily Parish in Mount Prospect, before being appointed as pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish the following year. Cupich said the person making the allegations against Ryan has been offered the services of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Victim Assistance Ministry. He said the results of the investigation will be reported to an independent review board, which will then make a recommendation to Cupich."Our responsibility for the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is of paramount importance to us," Cupich said. "The Archdiocese of Chicago encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward. They will be received with dignity and compassion."Information about reporting sexual abuse can be found on the archdiocesan website. The article Pastor Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor While On Staff At Des Plaines School: Archdiocese appeared first on Arlington Heights, IL Patch.
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