Woodridge Priest Retires after Word of '92 Arrest Gets out

By Brian Slodysko
Chicago Tribune
March 27, 2012

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-woodridge-priest-0328-20120328,0,5504948.story


A Catholic priest retired three months earlier than planned recently after news that he was arrested 20 years ago for soliciting sex in a forest preserve spread through the Woodridge parish he served, according to Diocese of Joliet officials.

The Rev. Gerald P. Riva chose to retire on his own after serving for 13 years at St. Scholastica's Parish and was not forced out, according to Doug Delaney, spokesman for the diocese. Delaney added that the diocese was not aware of Riva's arrest until recently.

The diocese declined to provide specifics on why or how news of the arrest came to light.

"Someone found out about this and brought it up. It was sad, it was unfortunate, it was a mistake he made," Delaney said. "He did some wonderful things and some wonderful ministries. It's just unfortunate it's come forward now."

Delaney said there had been no previous complaints about Riva. "He was a good priest," he said.

Riva, named outstanding citizen of the year in Woodridge in 2007, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Riva was arrested in October 1992 in the West DuPage Woods forest preserve in DuPage County after he grabbed the genitals of a male undercover police officer from whom he solicited sex, according to court records and the diocese.

He pleaded guilty to public indecency in November 1992 and was fined $100, put on supervision for a year and ordered to see a therapist, according to court records.

When Riva was discharged from supervision, his therapist wrote to the court that Riva demonstrated "excellent control of his former problem. I do not foresee repetitions of his October 1992 arrests."

Court records indicate that an attorney for Riva filed a motion earlier this month to expunge the arrest.

The sexual behavior of another priest roiled St. Scholastica's 25 years ago. The Rev. Edward Stefanich was convicted in 1987 of criminal sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl after he went to the family's home and asked for permission to marry her, the Tribune reported at the time.

Delaney said it would be harder to conceal an arrest today because of resources available and diocesan policies that are in place.

"(Riva's arrest) was 20 years ago. If that happened today, the diocese would probably be aware of it," Delaney said.