Priest resigns as head of Illinois youth home that has faced scrutiny

Published: 2003-12-18

CHICAGO (CNS) -- The priest who has been the face of a Catholic-run home for troubled youths for more than 40 years has announced he is resigning from his longtime post as executive director of the facility, Maryville Academy. At Maryville, in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, Father John Smyth, 69, had become a lightning rod for controversy as state and federal officials have scrutinized operations at the facility over the past year in the wake of the suicide of a teenage girl and reports of violence and sexual assaults among the young residents. The priest's resignation came during a Dec. 13 meeting of the Catholic nonprofit's board. At the same meeting George Rourke resigned as head of the board. If approved by Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, Father Smyth will become Maryville's president emeritus and chancellor and Father David F. Ryan will be acting executive director. The changes would be effective Jan. 1.

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