A pastor at a Lake Zurich church and school has been placed on leave after the Archdiocese of Chicago announced he was accused of sexual abuse of a minor, his third such accusation.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, wrote this week in a letter to the community at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish in Lake Zurich announcing an investigation into Father David F. Ryan.
The Archdiocese received an allegation against Ryan of sexual abuse of a minor when he was on the staff at Maryville Academy approximately 30 years ago.
“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,” Cupich said.
Cupich said Ryan has agreed to remain out of ministry and refrain from all parish and school activities until the investigation is complete.
“At the same time, you should know that he strenuously denies this allegation, and states that he has never harmed a child,” Cupich said.
Father Steven Lanza has been appointed to serve as administrator for St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish while the investigation is ongoing.
“In accordance with our policies the allegation was reported to civil authorities, the person making the allegation was offered the services of our Victim Assistance Ministry, and the archdiocese has begun its investigation, with the presumption that one is innocent until proven otherwise,” Cupich said.
“Only by conducting a thorough and impartial review can we ensure fairness to all concerned,” he said.
The results of the investigation will be forwarded to the Independent Review Board, which will make a recommendation for Cupich’s decision.
“Our responsibility for the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is of paramount importance to us. The Archdiocese of Chicago encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward,” Cupich said.
The allegation is at least the third made against Ryan in the past several years.
In November 2020, Ryan was accused of sexually abusing minors in the mid-1990s while he was assigned to the Maryville Academy.
Ryan was asked to step down as pastor but was reinstated in September 2021 after the initial allegations were deemed unfounded.
The archdiocese concluded there was insufficient reason to suspect Ryan had committed child sexual abuse, Cupich said at that time.
Ryan’s return was delayed days later after more allegations were brought forward. He was once again cleared after that.