Fr. David Ryan

Ordained: 1979

Assignments:
  • 1980 – 1984: St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Springfield, IL (SFD)
  • 1984 – 1992: On duty outside the Diocese of Springfield, IL (SFD)
  • 1993 – 2002: Catholic Youth Office, Archdiocese of Chicago (CHI)
  • 2002 – 2004: Maryville Academy, Archdiocese of Chicago (CHI)
  • 2005 – 2006: Other Assignments
  • 2007 – 2019: St. Francis De Sales, Archdiocese of Chicago (CHI)
  • 2020: Removed From Ministry

Since November 2020, parishioners of Saint Francis de Sales have received a series of troubling updates regarding their longtime pastor, Fr. David Ryan. Initially removed from ministry after being accused of sexually abusing a minor at Maryville Academy decades earlier, Ryan was quickly reinstated by the Archdiocese of Chicago Independent Review Board’s finding of “insufficient reason” to suspect abuse. Within weeks, however, new details emerged, yet Ryan was once again returned to ministry.

By September 2022, multiple survivors had come forward with allegations, but the archdiocese’s response remained the same: Ryan was only asked to “step aside” pending further review. In February 2023, despite mounting accusations, the archdiocese reinstated Ryan again, this time claiming survivors had refused to cooperate with investigations.

Most recently, in July 2025, another allegation surfaced tied to Ryan’s time at Maryville Academy. He was once again removed from ministry, and a lawsuit has now been filed naming him directly.

 Fr. David Ryan’s Accusations of Abuse & Reinstatements:
  • November 2020: The Archdiocese of Chicago informs Saint Francis de Sales parishioners that Fr. Ryan has been accused of sexual abuse, and he must step away from active ministry.
  • September 2021: Fr. Ryan is reinstated to Saint Francis de Sales following an independent investigation conducted by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
  • September 2021: Additional information arises from the November 2020 allegation, and Fr. Ryan’s reinstatement is delayed.
  • November 2021: Fr. Ryan is reinstated to Saint Francis de Sales.
  • September 2022: Two additional survivors accuse Fr. Ryan of sexual abuse. Ryan is asked to step away while the archdiocese conducts an independent investigation.
  • February 2023: Fr. Ryan is reinstated as pastor at Saint Francis de Sales following the Archdiocese of Chicago’s independent investigation.
  • July 2025: Fr. Ryan is once again accused of sexually abusing another minor and is asked to refrain from active ministry.
  • August 2025: A lawsuit was publicly announced identifying Fr. Ryan and accusing him of child sexual abuse.