Clergy sexual abuse has had a profound and devastating impact on countless individuals within the Rhode Island Catholic Diocese. This issue has a long and painful history where the trust was betrayed, and those in positions of power harmed vulnerable individuals.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers work to provide closure and reparations to people who are impacted by past sexual abuse. Our firm has strong knowledge regarding historical context and is aware of the seriousness of this act. We are ready to support the survivors in their quest for justice under legal assistance.
Table of Contents
| Last Name | First Name | Diocese | Status | Accusations (Summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abruzzese | Joseph A. | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Placed on leave 12/1/93, pled no contest to second-degree sexual assault in 1994, and was sentenced to 5 years probation and counseling. |
| Belhumeur | Roger E. | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 9/28/10. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| Brassard | Ronald E. | Diocese of Providence RI | Sued | Brassard was accused of abuse in a 1995 lawsuit. He was appointed pastor of St. Mark’s in Jamestown in 2015 and continued as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Cranston. |
| Jr. | Daniel M. Azzarone, | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Priest was accused of sexually abusing several youths, was sentenced to 3 years prison and 7 years probation, and laicized after a $1.326M settlement with the diocese. |
| Allard | John C. | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Msgr. Allard was removed from his positions after allegation of sexual abuse, but no criminal charges were filed due to the statute of limitations. |
| Brodeur | Dennis | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 1/1/04. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| Charland | Paul | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Removed from ministry 8/26/11. |
| Carpentier | Robert A. | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | A man filed a civil suit against a priest in 1992, and the case was settled in 2002 as part of a $13.5M mass settlement. |
| Campbell | James D. | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Assigned to a parish in West Warwick, RI and Rhode Island Medical Center 7/1975 -11/1977. Placed on leave by Order in 2002 after allegations of abuse of a boy in Worcester, MA. |
| Chase | Geoffrey | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Portsmouth Abbey School reached out to alumni regarding past sex abuse, and Chase was housemaster of dorm in mid-1960s. He admitted to abuse of 3 others at the time in early 1970s-early 1980s. |
| Claver | Peter | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Claver, a Sacred Heart Brother, was accused of abuse at a school in Rhode Island. |
| D’Angelo | Joseph | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Name included in the diocese’s 9/02 $13.5M mass settlement of 36 sexual abuse lawsuits alleging abuse by 11 priests and a nun. Bishop Gelineau swore under oath that D’Angelo’s faculties were suspended on 7/1/83. On diocese’s list 7/1/19. |
| DeAngelis | Anthony A. | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | A woman notified the diocese that DeAngelis had sexually abused her repeatedly 1957-65, and wrote to Bishop Gelineau about it. The diocese paid $12.5K to the survivor for therapy costs. |
| Demers | Normand J. | Diocese of Providence RI | Sued | Providence priest, founder of an orphanage and school in Haiti, accused of sexually abusing a boy, ages 12-14, about 35 years prior. The suit was dismissed, with the judge ruling that church leadership cannot be labeled “perpetrators”. |
| Desrosiers | Alfred R. | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Accused of molesting two 15-year-old girls, his criminal trial was scheduled for Fall 1997 but portions were appealed to the RI Supreme Court as of 4/98. |
| Desrosiers | Paul | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Parish priest; member of Diocesan Tribunal 1959-68; died in 1984 from injuries suffered in a bus crash. |
| Diogo | Louis M. | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Retired priest who moved out of state after being accused of sexual abuse returned to Rhode Island and was immediately removed from the priest’s list. |
| Dolan | Charles | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 11/5/77. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| Ferland | Oscar | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 7/8/98. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| Dunn | Louis Ward | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | A woman made a complaint to the bishop of sexual misconduct toward her by Dunn when she was a minor. Dunn was tried on two separate rape allegations, and received a 10-year suspended sentence. |
| Ferry | John F. | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | A man accused Ferry of drugging and abusing him in the late 1960s, and his letter was forwarded to police. Information was not released to the public until 11/13. |
| Fisette | Kevin R. | Diocese of Providence RI | Indicted | Fisette was placed on leave and resigned from his Pawtucket parish in 8/09, after a 3/09 complaint of sexual abuse of a boy 1981-82. He was fired from his job at Goodwill after his name appeared on the list. |
| Gillooly | William | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 9/2/89. Allegation(s) received after Gillooly’s death. |
| Holden | Richard | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 3/23/85. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| Jackson | James W. | Diocese of Providence RI | Guilty plea | Police discovered that an internet connection from St. Mary’s rectory was connected to child pornography sharing. Jackson was pastor of parish in Littleton CO, and was allowed to live with a relative in Kansas with electronic monitoring. Jackson was arrested in Leawood KS for child porn possession and was in custody of the U.S. Marshals in R.I. Pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography and was sentenced to six years in prison. |
| Fitzgerald | Edmund | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | A man told the diocese that Fitzgerald sexually abused him over several years in the 1960s, and his brother also alleged abuse. |
| Gagnon | Laurence | Diocese of Providence RI | Charged | Deacon at St. Joseph’s in West Warwick, RI, was accused of inappropriately touching at least three young boys. |
| Gorman | Bede | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Portsmouth Abbey School reached out to alumni regarding past sex abuse, hiring a law firm to investigate. Four allegations deemed credible surfaced of abuse of students during the 1950s until 1972, when the school no longer had boarders. |
| Kelley | Edward J. | Diocese of Providence RI | Indicted | Kelley was arrested in SC for the alleged sexual assault of a boy in 1983 in North Smithfield RI. He was removed from ministry in Charleston SC in 2015 due to a relationship with an adult woman. |
| LaMountain | Michael V. | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Pastor of St. John’s in West Warwick RI, indicted in 1997 on criminal charges of molestation, sentenced to 9 12-year suspended sentences, to run concurrently, settled claims in 2002, included on the Providence diocese’s list in 2019, died in 2010, and was included in the MD Attorney General Report in 2019. |
| Gorton | Timothy J. | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Gorton was removed from assignment at Precious Blood Parish in Woonsocket after allegations of misconduct about 30 years previously. |
| Leech | Paul Henry | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Leech was removed from ministry in 1984, was convicted of molesting 3-4 boys in 1982-1984, and was sentenced to 86 years in prison, but served 3 years and then 12 years probation. |
| Lepire | Roland M. | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Lepire was accused of abusing a young man in 1978 and was later settled for $13.5M as part of a mass settlement involving 36 victims of priest abuse in Providence Diocese. |
| Magaldi | Philip A. | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Magaldi left Providence in 1988 after claims of financial mismanagement, returned to ministry in Ft. Worth after eight months, pleaded guilty to embezzlement in 1992, and was accused of sexually abusing a boy in the 1970s. |
| McCallion | Daniel | Diocese of Providence RI | Sued | In the 1990s, the defendant was accused of sexually abusing a girl, age 13, during confession. |
| Marcantonio | Robert A. | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Bishop Reilly knew in 1970 that Marcantonio had molested several 12- to 14-year-old boys. He was sent to Ames, IA for treatment, allowed ministry there, removed from ministry in 1989, and settled several civil suits by 1994. |
| McIntyre | Robert J. | Diocese of Providence RI | Sued | McIntyre was sued for covering up abuse at the RI Catholic orphanage St. Aloysius Home, but the jury found no evidence to support the charges. |
| Meehan | Barry | Diocese of Providence RI | Arrested | Meehan worked in parishes in West Warwick, Cranston, and Providence. A man reported to the diocese that Meehan had sexually assaulted him between 1986 and 1991, and a second accuser was discovered during an investigation. |
| Menard | Adrian | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 2/1/76. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| Meglio | Richard L. | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Meglio was removed from ministry 4/22/88 after a civil suit was filed accusing him of molesting a minor in the 1970s. |
| Micarelli | Edmund C. | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Bishop Gelineau and Auxiliary Bishop Angell knew of Micarelli’s behavior prior to 1962, but did nothing about it. Micarelli was removed from ministry 4/17/90 and is living in Florida. |
| O’Neill | William | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Left ministry 7/10/71. Died 5/3/00. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| O’Connell | William C. | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Assigned to four parishes in three years, then became a Navy chaplain. Pleaded guilty to abuse of three boys, retired, and got ten years in prison. |
| Petrocelli | John N. | Diocese of Providence RI | Charged | Petrocelli was removed from ministry 8/22/2002, accused of abuse of a boy in the late 1980s, and settled a lawsuit in 2008 for $1.326M. He was indicted on charges of abuse of three young boys in 2020. |
| Rafferty | Hugh | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | The Rockville Centre diocese named Father Joseph C. A. Lennon as accused on 7/1/19. He died on 1/11/01. |
| Raiche | William | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 3/26/83. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| Rene | Guertin | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Died 1/23/82. Allegation(s) received after his death. |
| Rocha | Joseph James | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Worked in dioceses/archdioceses of Washington DC, Boston, Nashville, Providence. Pleaded guilty to 1999 sexual assault of a 21-year-old mentally disabled man, was sentenced to 10 years probation, counseling, and died in 2009. |
| Scagnelli | Peter | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/1/19. Removed from ministry 1/1/94. Died 7/12/17. |
| Claudine | Mary | Diocese of Providence RI | Settled | Name included in Diocese’s 9/02 $13.5M mass settlement in 36 sexual abuse lawsuits alleging abuse by 11 priests and a nun. |
| Smyth | Brendan | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | John Gerard Brendan Smyth was convicted of abusing over 50 boys and girls in Ireland and the US. He died in prison in 1997. Two people sued Smyth’s order in 2010, and three Dublin relatives sued the Kilmore bishop after finding the Diocese knew Smyth abused children. The RI State Ethics Commission ruled that Supreme Court judge Francis Flaherty had committed ethical violations. |
| Tanguay | William | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 7/1/2019. Removed from ministry 6/17/2002. Accused of abuse in RI 1965-1981. Also worked in Minneapolis, MN and the Diocese of Charlotte. |
| Jr. | Edward J. Sadowski, | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Deacon was arrested in 2001 after arranging over the internet to meet someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl. He was sentenced to two years in prison and five years probation. |
| Santilli | Francis C. | Diocese of Providence RI | Sued | A priest was placed on leave in 2/22 due to an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor in 1979 or 1980. The diocese had received reports of the sexual abuse of minors by Santilli twice before, but determined that both allegations lacked credibility. |
| Tormey | John | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Tormey was accused of sexual misconduct by the diocese and filed a defamation suit in 2018. |
| Silva | James M. | Diocese of Providence RI | Convicted | Silva was removed from ministry in 1993, and was later indicted on charges of abuse of a boy under the age of 14 in 1989-1990. Eight claims were settled by the diocese in 2002, and he was ordered to undergo counseling. |
| Tedeschi | Peter L. | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | A 73-year-old woman said Tedeschi sexually abused her for over a year, starting when she was in middle school. She said it continued after he left Holy Trinity and she was a Sacred Heart High School student. |
| Turillo | Biagio Samuel | Diocese of Providence RI | Accused | Diocese banned Turiilo, age 96, from exercising the sacred ministry due to a credible allegation of sexual misconduct of a minor. |
| Walderman | John M. | Diocese of Providence RI | Sued | Assigned to Blessed Sacrament High School in NYC, Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester NY, Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx NY, Rice High School in Harlem NY, Edmund Rice Institute in Australia. |
| Ventre | Armand | Diocese of Providence RI | Acquitted | Assigned to our Lady of Good Help Parish 1980-1985. Indicted 8/85 for sexually molesting two altar boys and one mentally handicapped youth. |
About Clergy Sexual Abuse
Clergy sexual abuse involves inappropriate and illegal sexual conduct by trusted religious leaders. As a result of abuse, survivors suffer from long-term psychological, emotional, and spiritual trauma. These can affect their mental health and cause depression, PTSD, and difficulties with trust and relationships. Following proper reporting procedures and seeking legal action are crucial to prevent future abuse.
In Rhode Island, the legal process typically starts with filing a complaint and is followed by the state police. Charges are filed if evidence supports the claim. Pre-trial hearings occur, leading to a trial where the prosecution must prove guilt. If convicted, sentencing follows. Victims can also pursue civil lawsuits for damages.
Legal Support for Survivors in Rhode Island
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offer specialized legal facilities to past sex abuse survivors of Rhode Island to ensure their voices are heard, and their rights are protected under the RI Senate Judiciary Committee. Our experienced legal team has a deep understanding of the complexities involved in child sex abuse and other clergy abuse claims. Our services include:
- Confidential consultations to discuss the case and legal options
- Thorough investigation and gather evidence to make a strong case
- Filing and managing lawsuits on behalf of survivors
- Representation in the RI Supreme Court and during settlements
- Coordination with support services for emotional and psychological care
Laws and Regulations in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has strong laws to protect alleged clergy abuse victims, especially when it comes to sexual abuse. Here are some key points:
Statute of Limitations: For severe crimes like rape, first-degree sexual assault, first-degree child molestation sexual assault, and second-degree child molestation sexual assault, there is no statute of limitations. Survivors can start legal proceedings at any time, no matter how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. For civil cases, victims can file lawsuits until they turn 53 or within three years of discovering the abuse.
A person is guilty of first-degree sexual assault if they engage in sexual penetration with another person under specific circumstances. These include where the victim is mentally incapacitated, mentally disabled, or physically helpless, and the accused knows or should know about this condition.
Mandatory Reporting Laws: Rhode Island mandates that certain professionals, including clergy, report suspected child abuse. Failure to report can result in fines and imprisonment. These laws aim to protect children and ensure timely intervention.
Recent Legislative Changes: In 2019, Rhode Island extended the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits and eliminated it for criminal charges of first-degree sexual assault. These laws reflect Rhode Island’s commitment to supporting survivors of alleged abuse and ensuring that those who commit these heinous crimes can be prosecuted, regardless of how much time has passed.
Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, there are several critical procedures involved in bringing a lawsuit alleging priest abuse, such as consulting with knowledgeable legal counsel. Here is how we assist survivors in navigating this process:
- Initial Consultation: Contact us for a confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and discuss the legal actions available.
- Case Evaluation: Our team will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case. We’ll gather evidence, review documents, and identify any witnesses who can support your claims.
- Filing the Lawsuit: Once we have gathered enough evidence, we’ll file the necessary legal documents to start your lawsuit. This civil suit includes drafting and submitting the complaint to the appropriate court in Rhode Island.
- Pre-trial Proceedings: During discovery, both sides exchange information and evidence related to the case, including depositions, interrogatories, and document requests.
- Negotiation and Settlement: Many cases are resolved through negotiation and settlement before reaching trial. We’ll negotiate on your behalf to seek a fair settlement that compensates you for your suffering and damages.
- Trial: We will take your case to trial if a settlement cannot be reached. Our experienced attorneys will advocate for you in court, presenting evidence and making arguments to seek justice.
Filing a lawsuit is a significant step toward justice and healing. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to supporting you throughout this journey and providing expert legal representation.
Support Resources for Survivors in Rhode Island
Rhode Island survivors have access to numerous support resources designed to give them emotional, legal, and practical assistance and help them navigate their recovery journey.
- Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV): This organization aims to provide comprehensive support services, including emergency shelter and legal advocacy.
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) is one of the largest anti-sexual violence organizations that creates the National Sexual Assault Hotline to offer 24/7 confidential support, connecting survivors with local resources.
- Faith-based support groups: These groups provide spiritual and emotional support that is tailored to survivors of clergy abuse.
- Mental health professionals: They specialize in trauma-informed care, which offers therapy consultation and psychotherapy to help survivors heal instantly.
Notable Cases and Outcomes in Rhode Island
In recent years, Rhode Island has seen multiple indictments related to clergy abuse with impactful outcomes. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence also released a list of 50 priests and clerics who were credibly accused of child abuse throughout the states. Here are some notable cases, including;
First-Degree Sexual Assault Case: In 2022, a former Catholic Church priest named Kevin Fisette was charged with sexually molesting a minor in the early 1980s with first-degree sexual assault and was removed from ministry. This indictment is part of a broader investigation by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and RI State Police.
Diocese of Providence Settlement (2002): The Providence Diocese agreed to a $13.5 million settlement with 36 victims of clergy sexual misconduct, setting a precedent for large-scale settlements in the state. These abuse allegations were made by sexually abused minors against 11 priests and one nun.
James W. Jackson: In December 2023, Rev. James W. Jackson was sentenced to six years in federal prison for possessing child pornography, with over 12,000 images and 1,300 videos found. These results highlight how crucial it is to take legal action and make offenders accountable.
Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Rhode Island clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances pertaining to your case, these cases may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range. In cases of extreme conduct or if that case were to go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.
| $14 Million Priest grooming and handling | $4 Million Deacon assault and rape | $3 Million Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood |
| $3 Million Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse | $2 Million Religious school priest teen sexual abuse | $2 Million Clergy abuse case filed against a deceased priest |
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers?
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has a team of enthusiastic and passionate employees with extensive knowledge of Rhode Island laws. We provide comprehensive legal assistance so child sexual abuse survivors are empowered and informed at every step of the way. Our strong track record in securing justice and compensation for survivors speaks to our expertise and dedication. Our lawyers understand the emotional toll these cases take and provide a supportive, empathetic environment for our clients.
With deep knowledge of the legal complexities involved in clergy abuse cases, we are committed to holding perpetrators accountable. Choosing Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers ensures survivors receive the justice they deserve through a compassionate and expert legal team.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been a victim of clergy sex abuse in Rhode Island, we encourage you to reach out for a confidential consultation. Our legal team is here to provide the support and guidance you need through this challenging time and fight for the justice you deserve.
Contact us today!
Phone: (888) 424-5757
Email: info@rosenfeldinjurylaw.com
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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.
