Father Edmund Fitzgerald served as a priest in the Diocese of Providence for decades. During that time, he is alleged to have sexually abused at least eight children across multiple parishes. The Diocese placed him on its sexual abuse lawyer resource list of Credibly Accused Clergy, and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 investigation identified him as one of 72 clergy members credibly accused of child sexual misconduct. If you or someone you love was abused by Father Fitzgerald, you are not alone, and what happened was not your fault.

Table of Contents

• Who Was Father Edmund Fitzgerald and Where Did He Serve?
• The Documented Allegations Against Father Fitzgerald
• How the Diocese of Providence Responded to Complaints About Father Fitzgerald
• Rhode Island’s 2026 Child Sexual Abuse Law and What It Means for Fitzgerald Survivors
• Your Legal Rights as a Survivor of Father Fitzgerald’s Alleged Abuse
• Why Sommers Schwartz Is the Right Choice for Fitzgerald Survivors
• FAQs About Father Fitzgerald and Rhode Island Clergy Sexual Abuse Claims

Who Was Father Edmund Fitzgerald and Where Did He Serve?

Father Edmund Fitzgerald was ordained on May 25, 1957, and served as a priest in the Diocese of Providence until his faculties were suspended in June 2002. He died on August 7, 2020. His assignment history spans more than four decades and covers parishes across Rhode Island, including St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Church in Pawtucket, where he spent his first twelve years in ministry, St. Mary of the Bay Church in Warren, St. Mary Church in Newport, and Jesus Saviour Church in Newport, among others.

Fitzgerald’s documented parish assignments included St. Thomas Church in Providence, St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Church in Pawtucket from 1957 to 1969, St. Joseph Church in Cumberland, St. Mary Church in Newport, St. Agnes Church in Providence, Our Lady of Providence Preparatory Seminary High School, St. Mary of the Bay Church in Warren, and St. Mary Church in West Warwick, among several others.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s March 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence examined Fitzgerald’s full tenure in detail. The report accused the Catholic Diocese of Providence of a “well-worn pattern” of failing to remove dozens of priests accused of child sexual abuse, and identified 75 clergy members who sexually abused more than 300 children since 1950. Fitzgerald was among those named.

According to diocesan records reviewed by the Attorney General, Bishops McVinney and Gelineau transferred Fitzgerald no fewer than nine times before the Diocese ever formally acknowledged a complaint against him. Several of those transfers moved him between parishes where, according to later complainants, abuse was actively occurring. The lack of any documented reason for key transfers, including his departure from St. Teresa’s in 1969, is a central finding of the Attorney General’s investigation.

The Documented Allegations Against Father Fitzgerald

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Appendix A report, Father Edmund Fitzgerald allegedly sexually abused at least eight children from the 1950s to 1980s, primarily at St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Church in Pawtucket and St. Mary of the Bay Church in Warren. The allegations span decades and involve both male and female survivors, some of whom were as young as 12 years old at the time of the reported abuse.

The first complainant came forward in 1993. She alleged that Fitzgerald abused her when she was 12 years old and working in the rectory of St. Mary of the Bay Church in Warren. Despite a consistent account across multiple interviews, and despite successfully identifying Fitzgerald in a 51-photo lineup, Diocese investigators asked her to submit to a polygraph examination. The polygraphist concluded she was not being truthful. On that basis, the Diocese closed the matter without forwarding the complaint to law enforcement, and Fitzgerald remained in active ministry.

A second complainant came forward when the Diocese announced a transfer of Fitzgerald to Jesus Saviour Church in Newport. That complainant reported that Fitzgerald had instructed his younger son to “drop his pants.” A third complainant came forward in 1998 and alleged that Fitzgerald forced him to engage in oral sex. That complaint was forwarded to the State Police, and Fitzgerald was temporarily suspended, though the Diocese apparently did not inform State Police of the two prior complaints already on file.

Between 2017 and 2019, three additional survivors came forward. The eighth and final complainant was also a woman who alleged that Fitzgerald abused her at St. Mary of the Bay in Warren when she was approximately 12 or 13 years old, around the same time as the first complainant. Before Fitzgerald died in 2020, none of the acts against him could be prosecuted due to expired statutes of limitations.

How the Diocese of Providence Responded to Complaints About Father Fitzgerald

The Diocese of Providence’s response to complaints about Father Fitzgerald is one of the most thoroughly documented failures in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report. The pattern is consistent: complaints were minimized, survivors were subjected to polygraph examinations, law enforcement was not notified, and Fitzgerald continued to serve in ministry.

When the first complaint arrived in 1993, Diocese Director of Compliance McCarthy interviewed the survivor three times, found her account consistent, and still required her to take a polygraph. Fitzgerald was also polygraphed. The polygraphist sided with Fitzgerald. The complaint was never sent to law enforcement. Fitzgerald was simply transferred to another parish.

In 1998, Fitzgerald wrote directly to the family of a child who reported that he had been told to “drop his pants” at the rectory of St. Teresa Church in Pawtucket. In that letter, Fitzgerald denied the allegations and warned the family that repeating the allegations could constitute “malicious slander” and leave them “open to a very unfortunate situation.” The Attorney General’s report cited this letter as a direct attempt to silence a survivor’s family.

When a fourth and fifth complainant came forward in 2002, McCarthy recommended that Fitzgerald “needs to be confronted again and also offered a polygraph examination.” The fifth complainant’s polygraph results came back as “definitely truthful.” Fitzgerald’s results were “inconclusive.” Only then did Bishop McManus suspend Fitzgerald’s faculties. The Diocese placed him on its Credibly Accused List, but records show no indication of what, if anything, the Diocesan Review Board did in response.

The Attorney General’s report found that Fitzgerald continued to engage in part-time ministry at parishes throughout the state for several years after his first temporary suspension, with none of those part-time assignments appearing on the Diocese’s official records. Survivors who were abused during those years may have legal claims against the Diocese for its failure to act.

Rhode Island’s 2026 Child Sexual Abuse Law and What It Means for Fitzgerald Survivors

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. This law, known as H-7200A/S-2616A, is a direct response to the institutional failures documented in cases like Father Fitzgerald’s.

The law amends the statute of limitations for claims of sexual abuse of a child and creates a two-year window for survivors 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.

The new law establishes a two-year civil revival window that opens 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. This is critically important for survivors of Father Fitzgerald, whose abuse occurred decades ago and who may have believed their legal options had long since closed.

The revival window applies to claims against institutions and supervisors, meaning that survivors may now pursue civil claims against the Diocese of Providence itself for its role in enabling, concealing, or failing to report Fitzgerald’s alleged conduct. The Diocese’s documented pattern of transferring Fitzgerald without notifying law enforcement, relying on polygraph results to discredit survivors, and allowing him to continue part-time ministry after complaints were on file, is exactly the type of institutional conduct this law was designed to address.

If you were abused by Father Fitzgerald and previously believed the law had run out on your claim, the revival window may have changed that. Consulting with a qualified sexual assault lawyer now is the most important step you can take to understand your rights before this window closes.

Your Legal Rights as a Survivor of Father Fitzgerald’s Alleged Abuse

Rhode Island civil law allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to pursue claims not only against the person who abused them, but also against the institutions and supervisors who enabled or concealed that abuse. Under H-7200A/S-2616A, the Diocese of Providence can be named as a defendant in claims arising from its failure to protect children from Fitzgerald’s alleged conduct.

Civil claims in Rhode Island for childhood sexual abuse are governed by Rhode Island General Laws Section 9-1-51, which sets the statute of limitations framework for these cases. The 2026 law amends those provisions to create the revival window and expand the time available for survivors going forward. For survivors with previously time-barred claims, the revival window is the operative provision, and it runs only through June 30, 2028.

Survivors do not need a criminal conviction, or even a prior criminal complaint, to file a civil lawsuit. You can pursue a civil claim even if you never reported the abuse to police. You can file even if Fitzgerald himself is deceased, because the claim against the Diocese for its institutional conduct remains viable. Civil cases are decided on a preponderance of the evidence, a lower standard than criminal proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Filing a civil claim can accomplish several things. It can hold the institution accountable for decisions that put children at risk. It can create a public record of what happened. And it can result in financial compensation for the harm you suffered. A skilled sexual assault attorney can evaluate your specific situation and advise you on the strength of your claim within the revival window.

You are not required to have all the details figured out before you call. Many survivors come to us with fragments of memory, incomplete records, and uncertainty about dates. That is normal. What matters is that you take that first step and let an attorney help you understand what is possible.

Why Sommers Schwartz Is the Right Choice for Fitzgerald Survivors

Sommers Schwartz is a multi-state law firm with attorneys who represent survivors of clergy sexual abuse across Rhode Island. We understand that coming forward is one of the hardest decisions a survivor can make. We approach every case with compassion, confidentiality, and a clear focus on holding institutions accountable for the harm they allowed to happen.

Our attorneys have experience handling claims against religious institutions, including the Diocese of Providence. We know how diocesan compliance systems operated, how transfer patterns were used to shield accused priests, and how to build a civil case that documents institutional negligence. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.

The two-year revival window created by H-7200A/S-2616A runs only through June 30, 2028. That may sound like a long time, but building a strong civil case takes time. Gathering records, locating witnesses, and developing legal strategy all require months of preparation. Waiting until the last minute puts your claim at risk.

If you or someone you love was abused by Father Fitzgerald, or by any other member of the Diocese of Providence clergy, please reach out to Sommers Schwartz today. You deserve to be heard. What happened to you was not your fault. And you may still have the right to seek justice, but only if you act within the window the law provides.

FAQs About Father Fitzgerald and Rhode Island Clergy Sexual Abuse Claims

Father Fitzgerald died in 2020. Can I still file a civil lawsuit?

Yes. The death of an abuser does not end a survivor’s right to pursue a civil claim against the institution that enabled the abuse. Under Rhode Island’s new law, H-7200A/S-2616A, survivors can file claims against the Diocese of Providence for its role in failing to protect children from Fitzgerald’s alleged conduct. The Diocese, as an institution, remains a viable defendant regardless of whether Fitzgerald is alive.

What does the two-year revival window actually mean for me?

The revival window, which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, temporarily removes the statute of limitations barrier for previously time-barred claims against institutions and supervisors. If you were abused by Father Fitzgerald as a child and believed your legal options had expired, this window gives you a new opportunity to file a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Providence. Once the window closes, those previously expired claims may be permanently barred.

Do I need to have reported the abuse to police before I can file a civil lawsuit?

No. You do not need a prior police report, a criminal complaint, or any prior formal disclosure to pursue a civil claim. Rhode Island civil law allows survivors to file lawsuits independently of any criminal process. Many survivors of Father Fitzgerald’s alleged abuse never reported to law enforcement, and that does not disqualify them from seeking civil justice during the revival window.

The Diocese put Father Fitzgerald on its Credibly Accused List. Does that help my case?

The Diocese of Providence’s Credibly Accused List is a significant piece of evidence in any civil claim. It reflects the Diocese’s own determination that allegations against Fitzgerald were credible. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report also independently identified Fitzgerald as credibly accused, based on a review of diocesan records, law enforcement records, and survivor interviews. Both of these findings can support a civil claim, though they are not the only evidence a case can rely on.

What if I am not sure whether what happened to me constitutes abuse under Rhode Island law?

You do not need to make that determination on your own. Rhode Island General Laws Section 9-1-51 defines the framework for childhood sexual abuse claims, and what qualifies as actionable conduct is a legal question your attorney will help you answer. Many survivors struggle to name or categorize what happened to them, especially when the abuse involved grooming, manipulation, or coercion rather than overt force. Reach out to Sommers Schwartz for a confidential, no-obligation consultation, and let us help you understand your options.

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 Dennis Brodeur
• 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 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