Father Dennis Brodeur served as a Roman Catholic priest ordained for the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. Born on July 1, 1951, Brodeur was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Providence on July 23, 1977. His name now appears in one of the most significant clergy abuse investigations in Rhode Island history. If you or someone you love was harmed by Father Brodeur, or by the Diocese that supervised him, you are not alone, and what happened was not your fault. A sexual abuse lawyer at Sommers Schwartz can help you understand your rights and take action during the limited window of time that Rhode Island law now provides.

Table of Contents

• Who Was Father Dennis Brodeur and Where Did He Serve?
• The Abuse Allegations Against Father Dennis Brodeur
• How the Diocese of Providence Responded, and What the Attorney General Found
• Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law (H-7200A/S-2616A) and What It Means for Survivors
• Your Legal Options as a Survivor of Father Brodeur’s Abuse
• Why Sommers Schwartz Is the Right Firm for Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Survivors
• FAQs About Father Dennis Brodeur and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Who Was Father Dennis Brodeur and Where Did He Serve?

Father Dennis Brodeur was a Diocese of Providence priest who later became a professor, healthcare ethicist, and healthcare executive. His career moved well beyond parish ministry, but his time serving Rhode Island communities is central to the abuse allegations against him.

Father Dennis Brodeur was ordained in 1977 and served at several parishes in Rhode Island, including Holy Trinity Church in Central Falls, St. Catherine Church in Warwick, and St. Jude Church in Lincoln. His assignment at St. Jude Church in Lincoln, which ran from 1977 to 1980, is the period most directly tied to the abuse allegations documented by the Rhode Island Attorney General.

After leaving Rhode Island parish ministry, Brodeur pursued an academic path. He taught at St. Ambrose College in Iowa and later worked at Saint Louis University’s Center for Health Care Ethics. He ultimately became a healthcare executive with SSM Health Care in St. Louis. His public profile as an ethicist stands in sharp contrast to what survivors and investigators have since disclosed about his conduct during his time in Rhode Island.

Brodeur died in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 1, 2004. The allegation against him surfaced almost immediately after his death, meaning he was never confronted publicly during his lifetime. That timing made it harder for the Diocese to act, but it did not erase the harm done to the survivor who came forward.

The Abuse Allegations Against Father Dennis Brodeur

The allegation against Father Brodeur involves the repeated sexual abuse of a boy who was a teenager at the time. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office documented these allegations in detail in its March 2026 report on the Diocese of Providence.

A few days after Brodeur died in 2004, the Diocese of Providence received an allegation that Brodeur had sexually abused a boy, ages 13 to 14, while assigned in the late 1970s to 1980 to St. Jude’s in Lincoln. The survivor disclosed the abuse for the first time around the time of Brodeur’s death, a pattern that is common among survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Brodeur was close friends with the complainant’s parents, whom he met at St. Jude’s Parish, and he spent significant amounts of time in their home. This access, built on a trusted friendship, allowed the abuse to occur in a private setting where the child had no protection. The complainant stated that Father Brodeur would enter his bedroom at night, while his parents were home, to “tuck him in,” and that this escalated to repeated instances of masturbation and Brodeur performing oral sex on the boy.

The complainant reported that this likely occurred 5 to 10 times, and that he disclosed the abuse for the first time around the time of Brodeur’s death. Although the Diocese received the complaint and conducted a detailed interview in 2004, the matter was not presented to the Diocesan Review Board until April 2019. The AG’s Report notes that there was “no law enforcement notification on file” regarding the allegation, and it does not appear the complaint was reported to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office or Rhode Island State Police in 2019.

That 15-year gap between receiving the complaint and presenting it to the Review Board is exactly the kind of institutional failure that Rhode Island’s new law is designed to address.

How the Diocese of Providence Responded, and What the Attorney General Found

The Diocese of Providence’s handling of the Brodeur allegation did not occur in isolation. It was part of a documented, systemic pattern of mishandling abuse complaints across dozens of clergy members and decades of ministry.

In March 2026, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha released a report following a multiyear investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Providence. The report alleged that 75 clergy members in Rhode Island molested more than 300 victims since 1950, though officials said the true number of victims and abusive priests was likely higher.

Church leaders allegedly transferred accused priests to new assignments without fully investigating complaints or contacting law enforcement. In Father Brodeur’s case, the failure was different but equally serious. The Diocese received a detailed complaint in 2004, yet sat on it for 15 years before bringing it to the Review Board, and there is no record that law enforcement was ever notified.

Brodeur was named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence on July 1, 2019. His inclusion on that list came more than a decade after the Diocese first learned of the allegation. For the survivor who came forward, that delay represents years of silence that the institution allowed to continue.

The Attorney General’s findings about the Diocese of Providence are relevant to any civil claim a survivor brings, because they document the institutional conduct that Rhode Island’s new law now allows survivors to challenge directly. Survivors who were abused by clergy connected to the Diocese, including those who served at parishes like St. Jude’s in Lincoln, may now have the right to pursue claims against the institution itself, not just the individual who caused the harm. Those interested in the broader scope of Diocese of Providence clergy abuse can find more context within this hub’s related pages covering the Attorney General’s report and the Diocese’s history of clergy misconduct.

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

Rhode Island’s new child sexual abuse law creates a real, time-limited opportunity for survivors whose claims were previously blocked by the statute of limitations. Understanding exactly what this law does, and does not do, is critical for anyone considering a civil claim.

On June 11, 2026, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed legislation giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse a new opportunity to pursue civil claims that would otherwise be permanently closed. The law amends the statute of limitations for claims of sexual abuse of a child and creates 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 takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Legislation H-7200A and S-2616A lifts the usual statute of limitations and establishes a window to file new claims from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. This two-year period is commonly called the “lookback window” or “revival window.” It is strictly time-limited, meaning survivors who do not act before June 30, 2028 may permanently lose their right to file.

A critical development that made this law necessary came from the Rhode Island Supreme Court. In 2019, the General Assembly extended the statute of limitations and gave previously time-barred survivors an opportunity to sue. But in 2023, the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled that the 2019 law only applied to suits against individual perpetrators, not the institutions or supervisors who enabled them. The 2026 law closes that gap directly.

The new law specifically targets institutions and organizations such as churches, schools, youth programs, healthcare facilities and sports leagues, as well as supervisors. For survivors of clergy abuse, this means claims against the Diocese of Providence, as an institution, are now within reach during the revival window. Even though Father Brodeur is deceased, the institution that supervised him, received the complaint about him, and delayed action for years can still be held accountable in civil court. Survivors who want to understand how the revival window interacts with Rhode Island’s broader statute of limitations history can review the related hub page on Rhode Island’s sexual abuse statute of limitations.

Your Legal Options as a Survivor of Father Brodeur’s Abuse

Civil law gives survivors of clergy sexual abuse tools that the criminal system often cannot provide, especially when the abuser is deceased. A civil claim focuses on institutional accountability and financial compensation for the harm you suffered.

Even though Father Dennis Brodeur is deceased, survivors may still have civil legal options against the institutions that employed him, supervised his ministry, or failed to protect children from abuse. The Diocese of Providence received a complaint about Brodeur’s conduct, conducted an interview, and then waited 15 years to bring the matter to its own Review Board. That conduct is exactly the kind of institutional failure that civil litigation is designed to address.

Compensation in civil sexual abuse cases can cover a wide range of harms. These include the cost of therapy and mental health care, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and the long-term emotional consequences of abuse that began in childhood. You do not have to prove your case to a criminal standard. Civil cases operate under a “preponderance of the evidence” standard, meaning the evidence simply needs to show that the harm is more likely than not to have occurred as you describe.

Filing a civil claim can also be done anonymously in Rhode Island. Survivors who are concerned about privacy can file as a “Jane Doe” or “John Doe” plaintiff, which keeps their name out of public court records. This is an option that many survivors choose, and it does not weaken your claim in any way. If you are a family member supporting a survivor who is weighing whether to come forward, know that the decision to file belongs entirely to the survivor, and the attorneys at Sommers Schwartz will honor that at every step.

Working with an experienced sexual assault lawyer who understands Rhode Island’s new law, the Diocese of Providence’s documented conduct, and the specific facts surrounding Father Brodeur’s assignments is the most important step you can take right now. The revival window is open, but it will not stay open forever.

Why Sommers Schwartz Is the Right Firm for Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Survivors

Choosing who represents you in a sexual abuse case is one of the most personal decisions you will make. You need attorneys who understand the law, yes, but also attorneys who understand what it means to carry this kind of trauma and come forward after years of silence.

Sommers Schwartz is a multi-state law firm with attorneys who represent sexual assault and sexual abuse survivors in Rhode Island. The firm handles clergy abuse cases with the seriousness and compassion they deserve. Attorneys here understand how the Diocese of Providence operated, how institutions like it have historically responded to abuse complaints, and how to build a civil case that holds those institutions accountable, even when the individual abuser is no longer alive.

The firm takes sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless your case results in a recovery. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no financial risk to you for speaking with an attorney. Your first conversation is confidential and free.

Time is the one factor you cannot recover. All time-barred claims must be filed by June 30, 2028, or they may be forever barred. If you were abused by Father Brodeur, or by any other clergy member connected to the Diocese of Providence, the window to act is now open. Reaching out to a qualified sexual assault attorney at Sommers Schwartz today is the first step toward understanding your rights and deciding what comes next. You do not have to figure this out alone.

FAQs About Father Dennis Brodeur and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Can I still file a civil claim against the Diocese of Providence for abuse by Father Brodeur even though he is deceased?

Yes. Father Brodeur’s death does not end your ability to pursue a civil claim. 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 claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up sexual abuse. The Diocese of Providence received a complaint about Brodeur in 2004, waited 15 years to present it to the Diocesan Review Board, and has no record of notifying law enforcement. That institutional conduct can form the basis of a civil claim during the revival window, which runs through June 30, 2028.

What is the deadline to file a claim under Rhode Island’s new child sexual abuse lookback window?

The revival window opened on July 1, 2026, and closes on June 30, 2028. Any previously time-barred claim that is not filed by that date may be permanently barred. This deadline applies to claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up abuse, which is the key expansion created by H-7200A/S-2616A. Do not wait. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more time your legal team has to investigate, gather records, and build your case before the window closes.

Will my name be made public if I file a civil lawsuit related to clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island?

Not necessarily. Rhode Island courts allow survivors to file civil claims using a pseudonym, such as “Jane Doe” or “John Doe,” which keeps your legal name out of public court records. This option is available to survivors who are concerned about privacy, and choosing to file anonymously does not affect the strength of your claim. The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz can explain how this process works and help you decide whether anonymous filing is right for your situation.

What kind of compensation can a survivor of clergy sexual abuse recover in a civil lawsuit?

Civil claims for childhood sexual abuse can seek compensation for a broad range of harms. These typically include the cost of past and future mental health treatment and therapy, lost earnings and diminished earning capacity caused by the trauma, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and the lasting impact the abuse has had on your relationships and quality of life. Every case is different, and the specific damages available depend on the facts of your situation. An attorney at Sommers Schwartz can review your case and give you a realistic picture of what a civil claim might look like for you.

What if I was abused by a different priest at St. Jude’s Parish in Lincoln or another Rhode Island parish, not Father Brodeur specifically?

The revival window created by H-7200A/S-2616A is not limited to survivors of Father Brodeur. It applies to any survivor of childhood sexual abuse who has a claim against an institution or supervisor accused of enabling or covering up abuse. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report identified 75 clergy members with credible allegations across parishes throughout the state. If you were abused at St. Jude’s Parish, or at any other Rhode Island parish, school, youth program, or institution, and your claim was previously time-barred, you may have the right to file before June 30, 2028. Contact Sommers Schwartz to find out whether your specific situation qualifies.

More Resources About Clergy Abuse

• Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse
• Father John Abruzzese
• Father Raymond Allard
• Father Argencourt
• Father Azzarone
• Father Barnes
• Father Battel
• Father Belhumeur
• Father Bordignon
• Father Campbell
• Father Carpentier
• Father Cavanaugh
• Father Charland
• Father Corbesero
• Father Crafton
• Father D’Angelo
• Father DeAngelis
• Father Louis Demers
• Father Albert Desrosiers
• Father Paul Desrosiers
• Father Diogo
• Father Dolan
• Father Doran
• Father Dunn
• Father Dziob
• 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
• Father LaMountain
• Father Leboeuf
• Father Paul Henry Leech
• Father Lepire
• Father Lonardo
• Father Philip Magaldi
• Father Manu
• Father Normand Marcantonio
• Father Joseph McCra
• Father McIntyre
• Father Meehan
• Father Meglio
• Father Menard
• Father Micarelli
• Father O’Connell
• Father J.F. O’Neil
• Father W. O’Neill
• Father Powers
• Father Rafferty
• Father Raiche
• Father Reynolds
• Father Rocha
• Father Sadowski
• Father Santagata
• Father Francis Santilli
• Father John Scagnelli
• Father Smyth
• Father Tanguay
• Father Tedeschi
• Father Tormey
• Father Tousignant
• Father Turillo
• Father Ventre