A former Dunning priest has been accused of assaulting a child nearly 30 years ago, according to a letter sent by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago.
In the letter sent Saturday to parishioners, Cupich said Monsignor Daniel Mayall, who served as pastor at Saint Francis Borgia Parish, 8033 W. Addison St., from July 1993 to January 2002, had been accused of “sexual abuse of a minor” about 30 years ago.
Mayall was ordered by the church to remain out of the ministry and to refrain from all parish and school activities, according to the letter. Cupich said the church had started its own investigation and had reported the allegations to authorities.
“While Monsignor strenuously denies this allegation, he has agreed to cooperate with this direction,” Cupich wrote in the letter. “I want to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is our paramount concern. … In the meantime, as we go through this process together, know that you are in my prayers.”
Mayall also served as pastor and senior priest of St. Joseph Parish in Wilmette between July 2016 and June 2019, according to the letter. He was then senior priest of Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish until June 2021, when he retired; he stayed at the parish in retirement.