Former Rhode Island Priest Facing 11 Counts Of Child Molestation

PROVIDENCE, RI — A former Rhode Island priest was indicted on 11 counts of child molestation, Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Tuesday. James Silva, 81, is accused of assaulting a boy under 14 years old from 1989 to 1990.

Silva was charged in a sealed indictment from the statewide grand jury last week. He was arrested and arraigned in superior court on Monday. The former priest was charged with two counts of first-degree child molestation and nine counts of second-degree child molestation.

Silva worked as the interim director and assistant director of the Office of Ministerial Formation for the Diocese of Providence from 1986 to 1991. The indictment accused him of molesting the boy from 1989 to 1991.

This is not the first time Silva was accused of molestation. In 1995, he pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree sexual assault, and was given a seven-year suspended sentence, with probation. He left the priesthood in 1993.

At his arraignment Monday, Silva was issued a no-contact order with the alleged victim, as well as anyone under the age of 18. Bail was set at $50,000.

Silva's indictment is part of a broader investigation by the AG's office and Rhode Island State Police into accusations of sexual misconduct by members of the clergy.

"Our months-long, broad investigation of clergy child sexual abuse in Rhode Island has had, from its inception, two principal purposes: to prepare a comprehensive report of our findings regarding such abuse and the Diocese’ response to it, and along the way bringing individual criminal cases as they are developed, where the facts as alleged warrant them," Neronha said. "This is the third case this Office has brought against a clergy member based on child sexual abuse allegations. Our investigation remains active and ongoing. I am grateful to the Rhode Island State Police for their partnership throughout the investigation."

Last November, former Woonsocket priest John Petrocelli was charged with several counts of child molestation. Edward Kelley, a former priest in Smithfield, was charged with multiple counts of molestation this May. Both cases are ongoing.