(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Parishioners at St. Francis de Sales Church in Lake Zurich celebrated the return of their Catholic priest after he was cleared of child sex abuse claims for a second time.
Cardinal Blase Cupich announced the decision to reinstate Fr. David Ryan after he said Ryan’s accusers refused to cooperate with church and civil investigations.
Bishop Jeffrey Grob read the cardinal’s letter, which cited insufficient evidence during Sunday’s morning mass.
“He is convinced of the need for us as a Church to keep our word that the safety of children remains our priority,” Grob said. “At the same time, we must keep our word and do everything possible to restore Fr. Ryan’s good name.”
Grob said Cupich also acknowledged the great patience from Ryan and church members during what he said “must appear to be a very unfair set of circumstances.”
The archdiocese asked Father Ryan to step aside in September for the second time.
He was cleared of child sex abuse allegations in 2021, which dated back 25 years to when he served at Maryville in Des Plaines.
“This has been a tough patch, and like I said, you’ve gone through it several times now,” Grob said. “But you continue to be a community of faith because at the end of the day it’s about the Lord and His ability to draw us together in faith. That keeps us strong.”
Ryan is expected to resume saying mass on Monday morning.
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