After a seemingly never-ending maze of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy, new allegations of abuse have surfaced at two Illinois orphanages run by the Catholic Church.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines, IL
The Chicago Tribune [1] is reporting the Chicago Diocese is investigating claims by people who attended Maryville that they were sexually abused by made Reverend David Ryan when he served at the institution from 1985 to 2003.
Rev. Ryan was appointed executive Director at Maryville Academy in 2003. Cardinal Blasé Cupich has asked Rev. Ryan to step away from the church during the investigation.
According to Church records [2], David Ryan was ordained in 1979 and began working at Maryville in 1985. Prior to his assignment at Maryville, he was assigned to a parish in Godfrey and served as a director for the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, IL.
These allegations of sexual abuse at Maryville Academy follow in the wake of similar allegations of sexual misconduct made against Reverend John P. Smyth, another former executive director at the facility. In the case of Rev. Smyth, former residents of the facility for troubled youth have come forward and alleged that they were abused by Smyth during their admission.
Smith died in 2019, but the investigation into his deviant behavior are still underway by the Des Plaines Police Department. He was removed from the church prior to his death.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse at Chicago’s Angel Guardian Orphanage
The now shuttered Angel Guardian Orphanage is also under investigation by the Archdiocese of Chicago in relation to sexual abuse perpetrated by Father Daniel McCarthy.
While the orphanage has been closed for decades, McCarthy was serving as the Pastor Emeritus at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish School following the closure of the orphanage.
While the investigation into McCarthy’s sexual abuse is underway Chicago’s Archdiocesan Office for Child Abuse Investigation and Review, he has been asked to step away from the church.
Official Investigation into Childhood Sexual Abuse at Church Operated Facilities
Investigations are currently underway by local police departments, church officials and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. While these investigations remain, open victims of abuse at these Illinois youth facilities may move forward with civil claims against the church to recover compensation for their abuse.
Legal Claims Against the Church
If you or a family member was a victim of sexual abuse at Maryville Academy, Angel Guardian Orphanage or another church-operated facility, you likely have legal rights to file a civil claim to recover compensation for your abuse and the impact it has had on your life.
Unfortunately, these recently disclosed allegations of abuse at Catholic Church operated facilities come after nearly 20,000 victims of abuse have come forward with allegations of abuse against other church staff including, clergy and priests. The church has paid nearly $3 billion in compensation to these victims to settle these claims.
Do You Have a Claim Against an Illinois Church Official?
Victims of sexual abuse in Illinois have a legal right to file a claim or lawsuit to recover economic and non-economic damages that you have experienced as a result of your sexual abuse.
Damages in these cases can be substantial as many victims receive compensation for:
- Therapy and other counseling
- Lost wages due to their inability to work
- Pain and suffering as a result of the abuse
- Medical treatments
- Rehabilitation
Experienced Sexual Abuse Attorneys Here For You
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC, our attorneys have experience holding perpetrators of abuse accountable and recovering compensation for victims.
We handle all sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis and only receive a legal fee when we are successful in getting a financial recovery for you.
Our team will stand beside you during the entire legal process and will take all measures available to guard your privacy and make the process as smooth as possible. Our experience is that many of our clients experience a sense of closure when they assert their legal rights against their abusers.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.
Resources: [1] Chicago Tribune, [2] archichago.org
