New St. Scholastica Priest Starts April 2

will have a new priest April 2. 

Rev. Gerald Riva, who had served the church since 1999, was set to retire on July 1. He resigned March 18 amid Suburban Life reports of a public indecency charge he received 20 years ago. 

Riva's successor had already been chosen and is available to start his role early, Joliet Bishop Rev. R. Daniel Conlon wrote to St. Scholastica members in Sunday's church bulletin. 

Norbert Raszeja is a member of the Congregation of the Resurrection and at one time served as the order's general superior in Rome, Conlon wrote. Raszeja will start the Monday of Holy Week, the week leading up to the celebration of Easter on April 8. 

Conlon addressed the unrest in the parish following the scandal and asked parishoners to support Riva.  

"Father Jerry Riva's early retirement, with the circumstances surrounding it, has surely caused you much pain," Conlon wrote.

"It has been a blow to me as well, since I had come to appreciate Father Riva's many talents during my first months as Bishop of Joliet. Although his serious moral failure has embarrassed the Church and the priesthood, he still deserves our gratitude for many years of good ministry and our prayerful support in the future." 

The abrupt change in leadership comes as St. Scholastica is in the midst of its 50th anniversary celebration, which will culminate in several events this fall and winter. 

"I am confident that God will bolster the inherent strenght of a very fine parish and that our Mother of Consolation will come to your aid in this hour or need," Conlon wrote. "It is at moments like this that a parish community bands together in prayer and mutual care."