Rhode Island Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

The Rhode Island Attorney General report documented allegations of child sexual abuse involving Catholic clergy and institutional failures connected to the Diocese of Providence.

The report identified:

• More than 300 documented victims
• 75 credibly accused clergy members
• Allegations spanning decades
• Institutional concealment and transfers of accused clergy
• Failures to adequately report allegations or protect children

The report also described decades of alleged institutional failures, including concealment, transfers of accused clergy, inadequate investigations, and failures to protect children.

The report makes clear that Catholic Church sexual abuse in Rhode Island was not limited to one parish, one city, or one time period. Allegations involved multiple communities, institutions, and assignments across the state.

Mention of any person or institution on this page does not constitute a finding of liability.

The Attorney General report stated that much of the reported abuse took place in Diocesan churches and rectories.

Children were often present in these settings because they served as altar servers, attended religious education, participated in church activities, or were involved in youth programs.

In many cases, trusted religious authority gave abusers access to children while families believed their children were safe.

Catholic Church abuse cases may involve questions about supervision, prior complaints, transfers, internal investigations, reporting failures, and whether church officials acted to protect children.

The Rhode Island Attorney General report identified locations and parishes connected to reported abuse and accused clergy assignments.

Locations and institutions referenced in the report include:

• St. Mary’s Church in Cranston
• Our Lady of Mercy Church in East Greenwich
• St. Aloysius Home in Smithfield
• Jesus Savior Church in Newport
• St. Matthew Church in Cranston
• St. Mary Church in Bristol
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Providence
• St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket
• St. Joseph Church in Woonsocket
• St. Margaret Church in East Providence

This list is not exhaustive. It is included to help survivors understand that allegations involved multiple Catholic institutions and communities throughout Rhode Island.

The report identified churches where five or more accused clergy served over time.

These included:

• St. Mary’s Church in Cranston
• Blessed Sacrament Church in Providence
• Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence
• Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Providence
• Sacred Heart Church in West Warwick
• SS. Peter and Paul Church in West Warwick
• St. Agatha Church in Woonsocket
• St. Agnes Church in Providence
• St. Ann Church in Providence
• St. Brendan Church in East Providence
• St. Joseph Church in Woonsocket
• St. Lawrence Church in North Providence
• St. Leo the Great Church in Pawtucket
• St. Matthew Church in Cranston
• St. Vincent de Paul Church in Coventry

Mention of an institution on this page does not constitute a finding of liability.

Catholic Church abuse claims may involve more than churches or parish buildings.

The Rhode Island Attorney General report referenced educational institutions where accused clergy served, including:

• LaSalle Academy
• St. Raphael Academy
• Bishop Hendricken High School
• Mount Saint Charles Academy
• Notre Dame High School
• St. Mary Academy Bay View
• University of Rhode Island
• Roger Williams University

Survivors may remember the abuse as connected to a school, youth program, parish event, religious education setting, or another Catholic institution rather than a single church assignment.

Many Catholic Church abuse survivors assume they waited too long to take legal action.

That is not always true.

Rhode Island lawmakers have considered legislation involving the revival of previously expired claims related to childhood sexual abuse and institutional misconduct.

Even if the abuse happened decades ago, it may still be worth speaking with an attorney before assuming you no longer have legal options.

Every case depends on its own facts.

Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuits may involve allegations that an institution:

• Ignored warning signs
• Failed to investigate complaints
• Failed to report abuse to civil authorities
• Transferred accused clergy to new assignments
• Allowed continued access to children
• Prioritized institutional reputation over child safety
• Failed to supervise clergy, staff, or volunteers
• Used internal processes that protected the institution rather than children

Merson Law investigates whether institutions had prior knowledge, warning signs, or opportunities to protect children and failed to act.

Merson Law represents survivors in complex institutional sexual abuse litigation.

The firm has handled high profile sexual abuse matters involving powerful institutions, public attention, confidential survivor intake, and difficult legal questions.

Merson Law approaches these cases with:

• Trauma informed communication
• Survivor centered representation
• Confidential case review
• Experience handling institutional abuse claims
• Strategic litigation against powerful organizations

If you were sexually abused as a child in Rhode Island by someone connected to the Catholic Church, Merson Law can confidentially review your situation.