The Diocese of Providence oversees all parishes in the state of Rhode Island and with Catholics comprising 42% of the population, Rhode Island is the most Catholic state per capita in America. In 2026, the State Attorney General Peter F. Neronha released a report regarding sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence based on investigations that began in 2019. The investigation involved examination of more than 250,000 pages of documents held by the Diocese dating back to 1950. Since 1950, at least 75 Catholic priests have reportedly sexually assaulted over 300 children. The report also confirmed that for decades, when faced with credible allegations of abuse by Catholic priests, the leads of the Diocese of Providence focused their efforts on protecting accused priest and the reputation of the church rather than protecting the victims of abuse.
In the early 2000s a wave of clergy sexual abuse cases rocked the Catholic communities of Rhode Island. In 2002, the Diocese of Providence settled dozens of sexual abuse lawsuits for $14 million. Rhode Island courts later ruled against the diocese which had fought to keep confidential the files of 83 priests who had faced accusations of abuse in the past. The Providence Journal reports that in 2007, details of cover up attempts made by Rhode Island church officials became public causing further pain amongst survivors and other parishioners.
The following list includes current or former priests who have been sued and/or suspended following allegations of sexual abuse of minors or have claims against them in the state of Rhode Island. We are actively pursuing cases against Catholic priests and clergy as well as figures from the Rhode Island diocese.
Important note: If the name of a priest or other member of clergy you are searching for does not appear in the lists below, it does not mean that you do not have a potential claim against that individual. These lists of credibly accused individuals are always expanding as more information is brought forth to the dioceses and to authorities. Please contact us if you or a loved one has been abused by a priest or other clergy member, regardless of whether they appear in the lists below or not.
| Diocese of Providence | 50 Named Priests |
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
If you prefer to speak with us directly regarding your incident, please call The Meneo Law Group at 1-866-371-8506 1-866-371-8506 or send us a confidential email.