(IL)
ABC7 Chicago [Chicago, IL]
July 29, 2025
By ABC7 Chicago Digital Team
The pastor of a north suburban parish has been accused of sexual abuse of a child for at least the third time, Cardinal Blase Cupich said in a Chicago Archdiocese press release Tuesday.
Father David Ryan, who has been reinstated twice after being accused of abuse, serves as pastor for St. Francis de Sales in Lake Zurich.
Cupich’s letter Tuesday said the Catholic priest was most recently accused of sexual abuse of a child when he was on staff at Maryville Academy about 30 years ago.
Father Ryan will remain out of ministry and refrain from all parish and school activities during an investigation, Cupich said.
“He strenuously denies this allegation, and states that he has never harmed a child,” the letter said.
The allegation was also reported to civil authorities.
“Our responsibility for the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is of paramount importance to us,” Cupich said.
Father Ryan was previously reinstated in February 2023 after accusations he sexually abused a minor.
Previous accusations were made about a year before that.
At the time, an independent review board determined that there was “insufficient reason to suspect” Father Ryan had sexually abused minors 25 years earlier.