Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island

New Rhode Island Revival Law – June 2026

In June 2026, Rhode Island enacted a two-year revival window for childhood sexual abuse claims. From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, survivors can file lawsuits against abusers and responsible institutions, even if the statute of limitations has expired. This includes claims against clergy members and institutions affiliated with the Diocese of Providence, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

Clergy Abuse in the Providence Diocese

The Diocese of Providence oversees all Catholic parishes in Rhode Island. About 42% of Rhode Island residents identify as Catholic, making it the most Catholic state per capita in the United States.

In 2026, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha released a report on clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence. The investigation began in 2019 and reviewed more than 250,000 pages of diocesan records dating back to 1950.

The report found that at least 75 Catholic priests allegedly sexually abused more than 300 children since 1950. Investigators also concluded that church leaders often prioritized protecting accused priests and the reputation of the Catholic Church instead of protecting children and supporting survivors.

The clergy abuse crisis gained national attention in Rhode Island during the early 2000s. In 2002, the Diocese of Providence agreed to pay $14 million to settle dozens of clergy sexual abuse lawsuits. Rhode Island courts later ordered the release of records involving 83 priests who had faced abuse allegations. In 2007, reports revealed additional efforts by church officials to conceal abuse allegations, causing further harm to survivors and parish communities.

Clergy Members Accused of Child Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island

The following list includes current and former Rhode Island priests who have faced allegations of child sexual abuse, lawsuits, suspensions or other claims. We are actively pursuing cases involving Catholic priests, clergy members and individuals affiliated with the Diocese of Providence.

If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse by a priest, clergy member, or church official in Rhode Island, contact us to discuss your legal options. If the priest or clergy member you are searching for is not listed below, you may still have a legal claim. Lists of credibly accused clergy are regularly updated as new allegations and records are disclosed.

Diocese of Providence

The following list, compiled by the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General, contains 72 Priests and Clergy ordained and/or serving in the Diocese of Providence. These individuals have been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor or were involved in legal settlements related to allegations of child sexual abuse.

  • John Francis O'Neil
  • Joseph A. Abruzzese
  • John C. Allard
  • Roger C. Argencourt
  • Daniel M. Azzarone, Jr.
  • Robert (aka Peter) Barnes
  • Francis Xavier Battel
  • Roger Belhumeur
  • Mario Bordignon
  • Dennis Brodeur
  • James D. Campbell (M.S.C.)
  • Robert A. Carpentier
  • Vincent Cavanaugh
  • Paul Charland
  • Eugen Corbesero
  • John Crafton
  • Joseph D'Angelo
  • Anthony A. DeAngelis
  • Normand J. Demers
  • Alfred R. Desrosiers
  • Paul Desrosiers
  • Louis M. Diogo
  • Charles Dolan
  • John Doran
  • Louis Ward Dunn
  • Michael W. Dziob
  • Raphael Edes
  • Oscar Ferland
  • John F. Ferry
  • Edmund Fitzgerald
  • John H. Flanagan
  • Laurence Gagnon
  • William Gillooly
  • Timothy J. Gorton
  • Rene Guertin
  • Richard Holden
  • James Jackson
  • Edward Kelley
  • John Joeseph Keough Feeney
  • Thomas Dente Kofi Manu
  • Michael V. LaMountain
  • Norman Leboeuf
  • Paul Henry Leech
  • Roland M. Lepire
  • Alfred Lonardo
  • Philip A. Magaldi
  • Robert A. Marcantonio
  • Joseph McCra
  • Robert J. McIntyre
  • Barry Meehan
  • Richard L. Meglio
  • Adrian Menard
  • Edmund C. Micarelli
  • William C. O'Connell
  • William O'Neill
  • John Aquinas Powers (O.P.)
  • Hugh Rafferty
  • William Raiche
  • Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse
  • Paul F. Reynolds
  • Joseph J. Rocha (O.P.)
  • Edward J. Sadowski, Jr.
  • Alfred Santagata
  • Francis Santilli
  • Peter Scagnelli
  • Brendan Smyth
  • William Tanguay
  • Peter Tedeschi
  • John Tormey
  • Paul Tousignant
  • Biagio Samuel Turillo
  • Armand Ventre

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If you prefer to speak with us directly regarding your incident, please call The Meneo Law Group at 1-866-371-8506 or send us a confidential email.