Daniel L. Ryan

Ryan attended Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield, then entered the Passionist Preparatory Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

[1][2] 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.

[4] Pope John Paul II appointed Ryan as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Springfield on November 22, 1983.

[4][10] In late October 1999, Matthew McCormick sued the Diocese of Springfield, claiming that Alvin J. Campbell, a diocesan priest, abused him as an altar boy from 1982 to 1985.

The Diocese of Springfield referred its case to the Sangamon County, Illinois district attorney, but the DA could not prosecute Ryan because the statute of limitations had expired.

[5][13] Having continued to administer confirmation and celebrate mass, Ryan voluntarily agreed in 2004 to suspend his public ministry.

In its report, the Special Panel on Clergy Misconduct declared that Ryan "engaged in improper sexual conduct and used his office to conceal his activities".

Ryan also fostered "a culture of secrecy...that discouraged faithful priests from coming forward with information about misconduct" by other clergy in the diocese.