Daniel L. Ryan

Daniel Leo Ryan (September 28, 1930 – December 31, 2015) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of Diocese of Springfield in Illinois from 1984 to 1999. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois from 1981 to 1984.

Amid accusations of personal sexual misconduct and the protecting of sexually abusive priests, Ryan resigned as bishop of Springfield in Illinois in 1999.

Biography

Early life Daniel Ryan was born on September 28, 1930 in Mankato, Minnesota, to Leonard and Irene (née Larson) Ryan. While he was a child, the family moved to Springfield, Illinois. Ryan attended Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield, then entered the Passionist Preparatory Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. After finishing at the seminary, Ryan entered the novitiate to become a monk. However, after deciding to become a priest instead, Ryan went to St. Procopius Seminary in Lisle, Illinois, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical languages in 1952. After his ordination, Ryan was assigned as assistant pastor at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Joliet. He also served as a notary for the diocese. He was then sent to Rome to attend the Pontifical Lateran University, earning a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1960.

In 1997 and 1998, an Illinois group called Roman Catholic Faithful picketed the US Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting in Washington, D.C., carrying signs accusing Ryan of protecting abusive priests. He himself was accused of engaging in sexual affairs with men.

In late October 1999, Matthew McCormick sued the Diocese of Springfield, claiming that Reverend Alvin J. Campbell, a diocesan priest, abused him as an altar boy from 1982 to 1985. McCormick claimed that Ryan and the diocese did nothing to protect him, and that Ryan was guilty of numerous sexual affairs with male prostitutes and priests, creating a poisoned atmosphere. A diocese spokesperson said that Ryan removed Campbell in 1985 as soon as he heard about the accusations. Campbell later spent seven years in prison for child sexual abuse. Ryan denied having any affairs.

In a 2002 Joliet Herald-News article, an unidentified priest from the Diocese of Joliet said that Ryan made sexual advances against him when the two men were staying at a hotel while visiting an out of town parish in 1982. In August 2002, the diocese received allegations that Ryan had solicited sex from four boys in 1984. One of the alleged victims, Frank Sigretto, said that Ryan picked him up off the street and offered him $50 for a massage. During the massage, Ryan made sexual advances to the 15-year-old boy. The diocese referred its case to the Sangamon County, Illinois district attorney, but the DA could not prosecute Ryan because the statute of limitations had expired.

Having continued to administer confirmation and celebrate mass, Ryan voluntarily agreed in 2004 to suspend his public ministry.

In his final years, Ryan resided at Sunrise of Naperville North, a senior facility in Naperville, Illinois.