Archdiocese of Chicago Investigating Separate Incidents of Sexual Abuse
Posted on: March 29, 2021 Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Archdiocese of Chicago suspended two priests from ministry within six weeks of each other due to independent allegations of child sexual abuse. Separate letters from Cardinal Blase Cupich stated that Rev. Daniel McCarthy and Rev. David Ryan were both asked to step away from ministry after the Archdiocese received allegations of sexual abuse of children against both priests.
McCarthy, while retired, currently serves as the pastor emeritus for Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity School on the Northwest side of Chicago. The Archdiocese received an allegation that McCarthy sexually abused a minor 50 years ago while he was assigned to Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago. Cardinal Cupich’s letter said the Archdiocese asked McCarthy to live away from the parish while the investigation occurred and the allegation was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Cook County State’s Attorney.
Ryan is a priest at St. Francis de Sales Parish and School in Lake Zurich. The allegations against him claim that he sexually abused children while he was assigned to Maryville Academy in Des Plaines 25 years ago. Similar to McCarthy, a letter from Cardinal Cupich said the Archdiocese asked McCarthy to live away from the parish while the investigation occurred and the allegation was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Cook County State’s Attorney.
Unfortunately, these are not the only letters regarding sexual abuse of children that Cardinal Cupich has had to write recently. Since Illinois has lifted its Age Cap in its statute of limitations, odds are that the Archdiocese of Chicago will receive further allegations of sexual abuse of children. While the Archdiocese has taken steps to settle with some survivors and should be acknowledged for the way it has handled these claims of abuse, the hope is that it will continue to do so as more victims come forward.
The entire article can be viewed here.
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