A pastor at a Lake Zurich church and school who has been accused of sexually abusing minors three separate times has been permanently replaced even as the archbishop continues to praise him.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, wrote in a recent letter to the community at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish in Lake Zurich informing them that Father David F. Ryan would no longer be with the parish.
“I first of all want to thank you for your unwavering patience over the past few years when legal matters have required your pastor, Father David Ryan, to temporarily step away from ministry. These occasions have not be [been] easy for you or for him,” Cupich said.
Father Steven Lanza is the current interim administrator of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish.
“At the same time, you deserve to know that there is little likelihood that the accusations against Father Ryan will be resolved within the foreseeable future. Consequently, it has become clear to me that in fairness to you, I need to provide for a more permanent leadership of the parish,” Cupich said.
The archbishop said he “informed” Ryan that he is retired as of February 1.
The position of pastor is now vacant, allowing the parish to begin the process and search for a successor.
“Father Ryan has dedicated his life as a priest over these years since the day of his ordination and has provided exemplary leadership of your parish, which you know better than I. As you know he has served well beyond the age of retirement established in the Archdiocese, a further testament to his dedication,” Cupich said.
“Yet, it is clear to me that it is time for new leadership so that the parish can build on the growth you have accomplished together during the years he served as your pastor. I also hope that you will see this change as a kindness to Father Ryan and continue to support him and each other as the parish moves forward into the years ahead,” Cupich added.
Father Steven Lanza came out of retirement to serve as administrator of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish, which he has agreed to do until June 30. The placement board will now search for a permanent replacement.
Lanza was appointed in July 2025 after the archdiocese announced its third investigation into Ryan after it received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor when he was on the staff at Maryville Academy approximately 30 years earlier.
“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 last summer.
Ryan agreed at that time to remain out of ministry and refrain from all parish and school activities until the investigation was complete.
Ryan “strenuously denied” the allegation and said that he has never harmed a child.
“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.
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.
The archdiocese has not announced whether the third investigation has been completed.
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