CHICAGO (IL)
Lake and McHenry County Scanner [Libertyville IL]
September 10, 2021
By WOO-SUNG SHIM
A pastor at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Parish in Lake Zurich has been reinstated after allegations of child sexual abuse were unfounded, the archbishop said.
In November, Cardinal Blase Cupich, who is the Archbishop of Chicago, wrote in a letter to the St. Francis community announcing the investigation into Father David Ryan.
Ryan was accused of sexually abusing minors approximately 25 years ago while he was assigned to the Maryville Academy in Des Plaines.
Due to the investigation by officials and the Archdiocese of Chicago, Ryan was asked to step down from pastor until the investigation was complete.
On Thursday, Cupich sent a letter updating the St. Francis community on the case.
Cupich said state officials determined the allegations were unfounded.
On August 21, the archdiocese concluded there was insufficient reason to suspect Ryan had committed child sexual abuse, Cupich added.
Ryan was immediately reinstated as pastor Thursday.
Cupich said Ryan fully cooperated with authorities and the archdiocese during the investigation.
Cupich wrote, “These have been difficult days and months for you as a parish. You have shown great patience as each jurisdiction completed its process. I thank you for doing so.”
“Father Ryan has also suffered, as you well know, but he has offered that suffering freely, convinced of the need for us as a Church to keep our word that the protection and safety of our children remain the priority,” Cupich added.