Lake Zurich pastor again reinstated after investigation said he didn't sexually abuse a minor

The Rev. David Ryan has been reinstated at the St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lake Zurich after an investigation found "insufficient reason" over allegations that he sexually abused a minor, Cardinal Blase Cupich said is a news release Saturday evening.

Ryan stepped down as pastor in November 2020 over allegations of sex abuse about 25 years prior when he worked at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. State and archdiocese officials found those allegations to be unfounded, and Ryan was briefly reinstated in September, until new allegations surfaced

The archdiocese's independent review board met Saturday and again decided there wasn't enough reason to suspect Ryan committed sexual abuse. In the news release, Cupich said he chose to accept this decision and immediately reinstate Ryan at the St. Francis de Sales Parish.

"We take every allegation of sexual abuse seriously, for only by conducting a rigorous and impartial investigation can we fulfill our duty to protect the young people in our care," Cupich said in the news release. "A thorough investigation also serves the priest accused, for, as in this case, if the Independent Review Board determines there is insufficient reason to suspect abuse of a minor, I can reinstate him with confidence."