The Diocese of Providence clergy abuse crisis is one of the most thoroughly documented institutional failures in Rhode Island history. For decades, children were sexually abused by Catholic priests, and the Diocese repeatedly chose to protect its own reputation rather than the children in its care. If you or someone you love was abused by a priest, deacon, or other clergy member connected to the Diocese of Providence, you are not alone, and what happened to you was not your fault. A sexual abuse lawyer at Sommers Schwartz can help you understand your rights and whether Rhode Island’s new law opens a path to justice for you.

Table of Contents

• What the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report Revealed About Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse
• How the Diocese of Providence Concealed Clergy Abuse for Decades
• Specific Priests and Locations Named in the Diocese of Providence Abuse Report
• Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law (H-7200a/S-2616a) and What It Means for Diocese Survivors
• The Long-Term Harm Caused by Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse
• How Sommers Schwartz Can Help Diocese of Providence Abuse Survivors
• FAQs About Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse in Rhode Island

What the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report Revealed About Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse

In March 2026, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha released a comprehensive report on child sexual abuse within the Diocese of Providence. The investigation took nearly seven years to complete and examined more than 250,000 pages of diocesan records dating back to 1950.

The investigation identified 75 clergy, including 61 Diocesan priests and deacons, 13 religious order members, and one extern priest, who were credibly accused of sexual misconduct against a child, and who reportedly abused over 300 victims during the review period.

Child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence occurred on an abhorrent, staggering scale, and for decades the Diocese engaged in a well-worn pattern of protecting the reputation of the Church and its priests over the welfare of children.

The abuse did not happen in one place or time. It occurred in churches, rectories, schools, hospitals, and even in children’s own homes. Priests used grooming tactics, including gifts, overnight visits, alcohol, and manipulation of a child’s faith and trust, to gain access to victims and then silence them.

The report also confirmed that at least 13 priests were accused of abusing over 40 children under circumstances where the Diocese had prior notice of possible misconduct by those same priests, yet transferred them to other parishes rather than removing them. Those transfers allowed abuse to continue. Rhode Island has one of the largest Catholic populations per capita in the country, with over 39% of Rhode Islanders self-identifying as Catholic, which means this crisis touched communities across the entire state.

If you recognize a name from the report or from your own experience, speaking with a knowledgeable sexual assault lawyer is a meaningful first step toward understanding what your options are today.

How the Diocese of Providence Concealed Clergy Abuse for Decades

The Diocese of Providence did not simply fail to stop abuse. It actively worked to keep complaints quiet, away from law enforcement, and out of public view. The Attorney General’s report documents this pattern in detail, and it is important for survivors to understand that the concealment was deliberate and institutional, not accidental.

The review found that historically, the diocese did not report any complaints of sexual abuse of children to law enforcement, and even in the 1990s, when reporting began to improve, the diocese still withheld complaints about priests who were still living.

The Diocese failed to report the abuse to civil authorities, failed to properly investigate complaints internally, and failed to remove accused priests from positions where they had access to even more children, who tragically paid the price for those failures.

Transfers were a primary tool of concealment. On average, an accused priest or deacon served in approximately eight different assignments during his career. Priests were moved shortly after abuse allegedly occurred, with no record of the reason for the transfer in personnel files. The Diocese also sent at least 21 priests to treatment centers and 12 to spiritual retreats or sabbaticals, rather than removing them from ministry entirely.

There was also evidence that the Diocese had a practice of destroying confidential files when priests died, which means the full scope of the abuse may never be fully known.

Survivors of this institutional concealment deserve to have their experiences taken seriously. The cover-up is not just a moral failure. It is a legal one, and Rhode Island’s new law now directly addresses the accountability of institutions like the Diocese that enabled or concealed abuse.

Specific Priests and Locations Named in the Diocese of Providence Abuse Report

The Attorney General’s report names specific clergy members and the locations where abuse occurred. This detail matters because it helps survivors connect their own experiences to documented patterns of misconduct. It also confirms that the abuse was widespread, spanning parishes, schools, and other institutions across Rhode Island.

Some of the most serious cases involved priests with multiple victims over many years. A single priest, Father Brendan Smyth, allegedly sexually abused at least 17 children over the course of his three-year ministry in Rhode Island, and Father William O’Connell allegedly abused over 20 children. The five priests alleged to have abused the most children were Fathers O’Connell with 23 victims, Smyth and Father Robert Marcantonio each with 17 victims, Father Edmond Micarelli with 16 victims, and Father Michael LaMountain with 12 victims.

Father Paul Henry Leech repeatedly abused four boys, ranging in age from 10 to 16, in their homes and in rectories of churches in Lincoln and Woonsocket. In 1985, he pled nolo contendere to eight felony counts and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Father Oscar Ferland reportedly sexually assaulted a boy from age six to age ten in the rectory of St. Michael Church in Providence. Father Francis Santilli reportedly abused altar servers in rectories and sacristies in Providence and Woonsocket in the early 1980s.

Father Michael LaMountain is described as one of the “most infamous child molesters in Rhode Island history,” with 12 known victims. Although supervisors raised concerns about LaMountain’s relationship with youths as early as 1976, he remained in active ministry for nearly two decades before pleading guilty to nine felony counts in 1999.

Locations where the most accused clergy were assigned include St. Mary’s Church in Cranston, St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, St. Joseph Church in Woonsocket, St. Matthew Church in Cranston, St. Mary Church in Bristol, St. Margaret Church in East Providence, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Providence. Accused clergy also served at schools including La Salle Academy in Providence, Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, and Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket.

Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law (H-7200a/S-2616a) and What It Means for Diocese Survivors

For many survivors of Diocese of Providence clergy abuse, the biggest barrier to civil justice has been time. Abuse that happened in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s was often not reported for decades, and by the time survivors were ready to come forward, the statute of limitations had expired. Rhode Island’s new law directly addresses that problem.

Governor Dan McKee signed legislation amending the statute of limitations for child victim claims of sexual abuse and creating a two-year window for victims to bring otherwise time-barred claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up sexual abuse. The new law took effect on July 1, 2026.

The new law establishes a two-year civil “revival window” that runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028. During this 24-month period, survivors can file civil suits even if the statute of limitations on their claims had previously expired.

Future claims must be filed by whichever date is later: either 35 years from the date of the abusive act, or seven years from when the survivor first discovers or reasonably connects their adult injuries to the childhood abuse. The statute of limitations begins running when the survivor turns 18.

The new law specifically targets institutions and organizations such as churches, schools, youth programs, healthcare facilities, and sports leagues, as well as supervisors. This is critically important for Diocese of Providence survivors because prior Rhode Island law, following a 2023 Rhode Island Supreme Court ruling, only allowed time-barred claims against individual perpetrators, not the institutions that enabled them. This new law closes that gap.

The revival window is open now, but it will not stay open. All time-barred claims must be filed by June 30, 2028, or they may be forever barred. If you were abused as a child by Diocese of Providence clergy and believed your time had passed, speaking with a qualified sexual assault attorney as soon as possible is essential.

The Long-Term Harm Caused by Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse

Sexual abuse by clergy does not end when the physical acts stop. The harm follows survivors into adulthood, affecting every part of their lives. Recognizing the full scope of that harm is part of why civil claims exist, and it is also part of why the attorneys at Sommers Schwartz approach every case with compassion and care.

The Attorney General’s report describes the consequences of clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence as immeasurable. Survivors suffered long-term mental, physical, and behavioral health effects, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, addiction, mental health disorders, and chronic physical pain. Survivors spoke of stolen childhoods, broken relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, and attempted suicides. Others reported enduring problems with intimacy and relationships, as well as professional, financial, and economic difficulties.

These outcomes are not coincidences or personal failures. They are the direct result of abuse that was enabled and concealed by an institution that should have protected children. Victims of clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island have come from every community, every ethnic group, and from all economic and social backgrounds. They are our neighbors, friends, and family members.

One survivor who reported abuse by a Diocese priest shared that it was important “to keep saying more; keep the abuse in the light,” because “for too many children, time and life stopped at the time of their abuse.” That survivor’s courage reflects what so many survivors carry every day, and it reflects why coming forward, even now, can matter.

Delayed reporting is also well documented and completely normal. The lookback window reflects a broader recognition that delayed disclosure is common in cases involving childhood sexual abuse. You are not late. You are not to blame. And you deserve to be heard.

How Sommers Schwartz Can Help Diocese of Providence Abuse Survivors

Sommers Schwartz represents survivors of clergy sexual abuse across Rhode Island and multiple other states. The firm’s attorneys understand the legal, emotional, and practical realities that survivors face when considering whether to come forward. Every step of the process is handled with discretion and with your wellbeing at the center.

Rhode Island’s new revival window under H-7200a/S-2616a is now open, and it applies directly to survivors of Diocese of Providence clergy abuse who want to hold the institution accountable. The window closes on June 30, 2028, and the legal process takes time. Waiting is the one thing that can permanently affect your ability to file.

Sommers Schwartz offers free, confidential consultations for survivors and their families. You do not need to have all the answers before you call. You do not need to know every legal detail or have documents ready. Our attorneys will listen, explain your options clearly, and help you decide what makes sense for your situation. There is no pressure and no obligation.

You can also file a lawsuit anonymously in Rhode Island. Jane Doe and John Doe filings are available to protect your identity in civil proceedings, which means coming forward does not have to mean your name becomes public. Our attorneys can walk you through exactly how that works.

What happened to you was not your fault. The Diocese of Providence had a responsibility to protect you, and it failed. Rhode Island law now gives you a window to hold that institution accountable. The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz are ready to stand with you. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

FAQs About Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse in Rhode Island

Who is named on the Diocese of Providence’s Credibly Accused Clergy List?

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s March 2026 report identified 75 clergy members credibly accused of child sexual misconduct within the Diocese of Providence since 1950. The list includes Diocesan priests, deacons, religious order members, and one extern priest. The Diocese of Providence also maintains its own publicly available Credibly Accused List on its website. If you recognize a name from either list, or if you were abused by someone not yet named, that does not change your right to pursue a civil claim. Speak with an attorney to understand your options.

Can I still file a lawsuit if the abuse happened decades ago?

Yes, you may be able to file. Rhode Island’s new law, H-7200a/S-2616a, signed by Governor Dan McKee on June 11, 2026, and effective July 1, 2026, creates a two-year revival window that allows survivors to bring otherwise time-barred civil claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up sexual abuse. This window runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. If your abuse occurred decades ago and you previously believed your time had passed, this law may change that. Contact Sommers Schwartz for a free consultation to find out whether you qualify.

Does the new Rhode Island law allow me to sue the Diocese, not just the individual priest?

Yes. That is one of the most significant aspects of H-7200a/S-2616a. Prior Rhode Island law, following a 2023 Rhode Island Supreme Court decision, limited time-barred revival claims to suits against individual perpetrators. The new law specifically targets institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up abuse, which means the Diocese of Providence itself can now be held civilly accountable during the revival window. This is a major change for survivors whose abusers may be deceased or otherwise unreachable.

What if I am not sure whether my experience qualifies as abuse?

You do not need to be certain before reaching out. Many survivors question whether what happened to them was “serious enough” or whether they will be believed. Those doubts are a normal part of trauma, and they are not a reason to stay silent. The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz will listen to your experience without judgment, help you understand whether it may give rise to a legal claim, and explain the process clearly. There is no cost and no obligation for an initial consultation. What happened to you was not your fault, and you deserve to have your story heard.

Will my name become public if I file a lawsuit against the Diocese of Providence?

Not necessarily. Rhode Island allows survivors to file civil lawsuits under a pseudonym, commonly referred to as Jane Doe or John Doe filings. This means your identity can be protected in court documents and public records throughout the legal process. The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz have experience with anonymous filings in Rhode Island sexual abuse cases and can explain exactly how this protection works and what steps are taken to preserve your privacy from the very beginning of the case.

More Resources About Clergy Abuse

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• Father Dennis Brodeur
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• Father Paul Desrosiers
• Father Diogo
• Father Dolan
• Father Doran
• Father Dunn
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• Father Edes
• Father Feeney
• Father Oscar Ferland
• Father Ferry
• Father Fitzgerald
• Father Flanagan
• Father Gagnon
• Father Gillooly
• Father Gorton
• Father Guertin
• Father Holden
• Father James Jackson
• Father Edward Kelley
• Father Lacasse
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• Father Leboeuf
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• Father Lonardo
• Father Philip Magaldi
• Father Manu
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• Father J.F. O’Neil
• Father W. O’Neill
• Father Powers
• Father Rafferty
• Father Raiche
• Father Reynolds
• Father Rocha
• Father Sadowski
• Father Santagata
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• Father Smyth
• Father Tanguay
• Father Tedeschi
• Father Tormey
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• Father Turillo
• Father Ventre