LAKE ZURICH (IL)
Lake and McHenry County Scanner [Libertyville IL]
September 17, 2022
By Sam Borcia
A pastor at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Parish in Lake Zurich has been suspended once again after two new allegations of child sexual abuse were reported, the archdiocese announced.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, wrote in a letter to the St. Francis community on Saturday announcing a new investigation into Father David Ryan.
The archdiocese received two allegations on Friday of sexual abuse of a minor, the letter said.
Further details on the allegations or when they reportedly occurred have not been released.
Cupich said the allegations will be reported to “civil authorities” and assistance will be offered to the persons who made them.
Ryan was asked to step aside until an independent review board can investigate the abuse report and present their recommendations.
“He has agreed to cooperate fully with our process, which will move forward as expeditiously as possible. We will provide Fr. Ryan with pastoral assistance, and I know he is grateful for your support,” Cupich said.
“We have appreciated your patience with this process in the past and your understanding that only with an impartial and thorough effort can we fulfill our duty to protect the young people in our care and, if the investigation warrants, restore the good name of the one so accused,” Cupich added.
In November 2020, Ryan was accused of sexually abusing minors approximately 25 years prior while he was assigned to the Maryville Academy in Des Plaines.
Ryan was asked to step down as pastor but was reinstated in September 2021 after the 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 new evidence was brought forward. He was once again cleared after that.