Mark Rivera was a pastor at Christ Our Light Anglican Church, in Big Rock, Illinois when he sexually abused a nine-year-old girl who was a member of his church. The abuse spanned two years, 2018 to 2019 He was originally charged with twenty-nine counts but they were cut down to three and he was convicted in a bench trial on two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and a charge of criminal sexual abuse.
He was sentenced to fifteen years. Six years for each count of criminal sexual assault and three years for criminal sexual abuse. He gets credit for the three years he spent in jail and on home-monitoring.
While in prison for raping a child, he pleaded guilty to raping his neighbor in 2018 and 2020. He was sentenced to an additional six years.
He is alleged to have abused ten other survivors.
Christ Our Light Anglican Church is part of the Anglican Church of North America that split with the Episcopal Church over their opposition to homosexuality and gay marriage. The mother of the nine-year-old girl has stated that the church urged her not to report the sexual assault of her daughter.
- Chicago Sun Times: Kane County ex-pastor gets 15 years in prison for sexually abusing 9-year-old who attended his church in Big Rock
- Religion News: Mark Rivera pleads guilty to felony sexual assault, sentenced to 6 more years
- Ministry Watch: In ACNA Abuse Case, Mother of an Alleged Victim Says She Paid a Price for Coming Forward
I am appalled each time I read about these vile people who assume the mantle of public service. There are so many of them in positions of power such as policing. Then there are those who fake christian faith in and take-on leadership roles. Their purpose for their choices is to sexually abuse and physically manipulate and harm people, many of whom are children.
Thank you for creating this WordPress as people need to know the truth about people who identify as repuglicans and exposes the degree of their revolting behaviour so rife on the right!