Diocese reverses decision to reinstate priest

The Joliet Diocese has reversed itself and revoked the reinstatement of an Illinois priest who was suspended in 2010 after allegations he had a sexual relationship with a teenager in the 1970s.

Last week, Bishop R. Daniel Conlon returned the Rev. F. Lee Ryan to limited ministry because the allegation he had relationship with a teenager in the 1970s did not meet the criteria of a crime under church law at that time.

Conlon said Tuesday he again placed Ryan on leave because of the need of the Catholic Church to restore trust after the child abuse scandal.

A now-52-year-old Florida man alleges he and Ryan had a relationship when he was 14.

Ryan was to minister to homebound parishioners of Watseka’s St. Edmund Catholic Church and Crescent City’s St. Joseph Mission.