Father Richard Holden served as a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Providence for 21 years. During that time, he held positions at parishes across Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence identified him as credibly accused of sexually abusing five boys. If you or someone you love was harmed by Father Holden, 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 explore every legal option available to you.

Table of Contents

• Who Was Father Richard Holden and Where Did He Serve?
• What Allegations Were Made Against Father Richard Holden?
• What the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report Revealed About the Diocese
• Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law (H-7200A/S-2616A) and What It Means for Survivors
• How Civil Claims Against the Diocese of Providence Work
• Why Survivors of Father Holden Should Contact Sommers Schwartz
• FAQs About Father Richard Holden and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Who Was Father Richard Holden and Where Did He Serve?

Father Richard Holden was born on September 23, 1939, and ordained as a Catholic priest on May 23, 1964. He served as a priest of the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island parishes for 21 years. His assignment history, as documented in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, shows he moved through several parishes during his time in ministry.

His first assignment was at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Narragansett in 1964. He then served at St. Aloysius Church in Woonsocket from 1964 to 1970, followed by Sacred Heart Church in Pawtucket from 1970 to 1971. His final and longest assignment was at St. Vincent De Paul Church in Coventry, where he served from 1971 until his death on March 23, 1985.

That span of assignments, across multiple communities and parishes, gave Father Holden sustained access to children over more than two decades. The Diocese of Providence covers all five counties in Rhode Island, and priests like Holden moved between communities in ways that made it difficult for any single parish to see the full picture of their conduct.

Holden is included on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence. Being named on that list means the available evidence, reviewed by the Attorney General’s office, supported a credible finding of child sexual misconduct.

What Allegations Were Made Against Father Richard Holden?

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, Father Richard Holden reportedly sexually abused five boys during his 21 years in ministry. Holden reportedly “approached a boy in a sexual manner” in the early to mid-1960s while assigned to St. Aloysius Parish in Woonsocket, and reportedly abused the other four boys from 1970 to 1982 while assigned to St. Vincent De Paul Parish in Coventry.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, the first documented sexual abuse allegation against Father Richard Holden was not received until 1997. However, diocesan records from 1967 “indicate possible earlier complaints about him.”

The Diocese received three additional allegations in 2013, 2019, and 2020, including reports that Holden sexually approached boys while assigned to St. Aloysius Church, sexually abused a 16-year-old in the early 1970s, and sexually abused another teenager during a trip to Massachusetts in 1979.

According to records provided by the Diocese to the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General, Diocesan officials were not notified of any of the allegations against Father Holden until after his death in 1985. That claim is significant. It raises serious questions about what the Diocese knew, when they knew it, and whether internal records were complete or complete enough to tell the full story.

By the time the allegations were referred to the Rhode Island State Police, Holden had been dead for decades. As a result, law enforcement documented the allegations but did not conduct a further investigation. That outcome is painful for survivors, but it does not close the door on civil accountability.

What the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report Revealed About the Diocese

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence was the result of a multi-year investigation. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha released the comprehensive report on March 4, 2026. The report identified approximately 75 clergy members with credible allegations involving more than 300 minor children and described patterns in which accused clergy were re-assigned and allegations were inconsistently reported to authorities.

Father Holden was one of those 75 credibly accused clergy members. His case fits a pattern that the report documents across the Diocese: a priest serving in multiple parishes over many years, with allegations that were not fully surfaced or acted upon during his lifetime.

The Attorney General’s report also documented how Diocese leadership responded, or failed to respond, when abuse allegations arose. In some cases, accused priests were reassigned to new parishes or institutional settings where they continued to have access to children or vulnerable people. That institutional behavior, rather than individual misconduct alone, is at the center of why civil claims against the Diocese remain legally significant today.

The report found that Attorney General Peter F. Neronha accused the Catholic Diocese of Providence of a “well-worn pattern” of failing to remove dozens of priests accused of child sexual abuse and keeping the abuse secret over decades. Survivors of Father Holden’s abuse deserve to understand that what happened to them was part of a much larger institutional failure, not an isolated event.

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

Rhode Island enacted a major new law in 2026 that directly affects survivors of Father Holden’s abuse. 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 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 critical for survivors of Father Holden. Because Holden died in 1985 and most allegations came to light years or even decades later, many potential claims would have been time-barred under prior Rhode Island law. This new law changes that for claims against institutions and supervisors, meaning the Diocese of Providence and others who may have enabled or covered up abuse.

It is also important to understand the history behind this law. 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, H-7200A/S-2616A, directly addresses that gap.

If you were abused by Father Holden, or by any other clergy member in the Diocese of Providence, speaking with a sexual assault lawyer now gives you the best chance to understand how this window applies to your situation before it closes on June 30, 2028.

How Civil Claims Against the Diocese of Providence Work

Father Holden is deceased. That fact does not end the legal story for survivors. Civil claims in cases like this are typically brought against the institution, in this case the Diocese of Providence, rather than the individual abuser. The legal theory is that the Diocese knew or should have known about the risk Holden posed, and that its failure to act allowed harm to continue.

Under Rhode Island law, claims against institutions and supervisors for enabling or covering up child sexual abuse are now viable during the revival window created by H-7200A/S-2616A. Lawsuits could include claims against abusers as well as the institutions that covered up the abuse and protected the offenders.

Civil claims are separate from criminal cases. You do not need a prior criminal conviction, a police report, or any prior legal action to pursue a civil claim. Many survivors of Diocese of Providence clergy abuse have never spoken to law enforcement. That does not disqualify you from seeking civil justice.

Survivors also have options around privacy. Rhode Island courts allow survivors to file civil cases using a pseudonym, such as Jane Doe or John Doe, to protect their identities during litigation. A sexual assault attorney at Sommers Schwartz can walk you through exactly how that process works and what protections are available to you.

The Diocese of Providence has a documented history of civil litigation and settlements with abuse survivors. Holding an institution accountable through the civil courts sends a clear message that concealment has consequences, and it can provide survivors with a meaningful form of recognition for what they endured.

Why Survivors of Father Holden Should Contact Sommers Schwartz

Sommers Schwartz represents survivors of clergy sexual abuse across multiple states, including Rhode Island. Our attorneys understand how deeply personal and difficult it is to come forward, and we approach every case with genuine compassion and respect for the survivor’s experience. We know that trauma does not follow a timeline, and we never judge anyone for the time it has taken them to seek help.

The revival window created by H-7200A/S-2616A is open now, but it will close on June 30, 2028. That deadline is real, and once it passes, previously time-barred claims against institutions may be permanently foreclosed. Acting sooner rather than later gives your legal team the time needed to gather records, investigate the Diocese’s conduct, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

You do not need to have all the answers before you call us. You do not need to remember every detail. You do not need to have reported the abuse to police or to the Diocese. What matters is that you reach out, and we will take it from there. Our team will listen, answer your questions honestly, and help you decide whether pursuing a civil claim is right for you.

If you or someone you love was abused by Father Richard Holden, or by any other clergy member in the Diocese of Providence, please contact Sommers Schwartz today. There is no cost to speak with us, and everything you share is confidential. You deserve to be heard, and you deserve the chance to hold the institution accountable for what it allowed to happen.

FAQs About Father Richard Holden and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Can I still file a claim against the Diocese of Providence for abuse by Father Holden, even though he died in 1985?

Yes. Because Father Holden is deceased, a civil claim would be directed at the institution, meaning the Diocese of Providence, rather than at Holden personally. 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 for survivors to bring otherwise time-barred claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up sexual abuse. This window runs through June 30, 2028, and it applies to claims that would previously have been too old to file.

What does it mean that Father Holden was “credibly accused”?

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office reviewed diocesan records, law enforcement files, civil and criminal proceedings, and victim interviews to determine which clergy members should be included in the 2026 report. Being identified as credibly accused means the totality of available evidence supported a finding of child sexual misconduct. It is a standard applied by the Attorney General’s office based on the evidence in its possession, and it is separate from any criminal conviction or civil court judgment.

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

No. You do not need a prior police report, a prior complaint to the Diocese, or any prior legal action to pursue a civil claim. Many survivors of clergy abuse have never formally reported what happened to them, and that does not affect their eligibility to file a civil lawsuit. What matters is the abuse itself and whether your claim falls within the applicable statute of limitations or the current revival window under H-7200A/S-2616A.

Can I file a lawsuit anonymously so my name is not made public?

Rhode Island courts allow survivors to file civil cases using a pseudonym, such as Jane Doe or John Doe, to protect their identity. This option is particularly important for survivors who are concerned about privacy, public exposure, or the impact that public identification could have on their families or careers. An attorney at Sommers Schwartz can explain the process for filing anonymously and what protections are available under Rhode Island court rules.

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

Rhode Island General Laws Section 9-1-51 governs civil claims for sexual abuse of a child. The law covers a broad range of conduct, and you do not need to be certain about legal definitions before reaching out for help. The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz will listen to your experience, explain how Rhode Island law applies to your specific situation, and give you an honest assessment of your options. There is no cost to speak with us, and your conversation is completely confidential.

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
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• Father Charland
• Father Corbesero
• Father Crafton
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• 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 James Jackson
• Father Edward Kelley
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• Father Lepire
• Father Lonardo
• Father Philip Magaldi
• Father Manu
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• Father Joseph McCra
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• Father J.F. O’Neil
• Father W. O’Neill
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• Father Rocha
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• Father Tedeschi
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