Father John Powers was a Roman Catholic priest ordained in the Diocese of Providence on June 12, 1952. He served in Providence parishes for decades before his death on October 19, 2010. His name appears in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s comprehensive report on clergy sexual abuse, which identified him as a credibly accused member of the Diocese of Providence clergy. If you or someone you love was harmed by Father Powers, 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 John Powers and What Did the Rhode Island Attorney General Find?
• How the Diocese of Providence Enabled Clergy Abuse for Decades
• Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law Opens a Door for Survivors of Father Powers
• What a Civil Lawsuit Against the Diocese of Providence Can Mean for Survivors
• Why Survivors of Father Powers Should Contact Sommers Schwartz Now
• FAQs About Father Powers and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Who Was Father John Powers and What Did the Rhode Island Attorney General Find?

Father John Powers was born on September 27, 1925, and ordained as a Catholic priest on June 12, 1952. His known assignment history places him at St. Pius V Church in Providence from 1960 to 1965. He died on October 19, 2010.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office determined that Father Powers was among the 72 clergy credibly accused of child sexual misconduct in the Diocese of Providence, based on the totality of information in the Office’s possession. The report, released in March 2026, was the product of a years-long investigation into how the Diocese handled abuse allegations internally.

In deciding whether to include an accused individual, the Attorney General relied on records voluntarily produced by the Diocese of Providence, as well as law enforcement records, records of criminal and civil proceedings, victim and witness interviews, and publicly available information. This was not a rushed process. It was a deliberate, evidence-based review.

Catholic priests in Rhode Island preyed on hundreds of children for decades, getting away with sexual abuse largely due to a system where bishops prioritized minimizing scandal as the Diocese maintained a secret archive to conceal the revelation of more victims. Father Powers served during a period when this pattern of concealment was well established within the Diocese.

The Attorney General’s report documents Father Powers in Appendix A, page 289. His partial assignment history, limited records, and placement on the credibly accused list all point to serious allegations that deserve to be taken seriously. If you were abused by Father Powers during his time at St. Pius V Church or anywhere else in the Diocese, your experience matters, and the law now gives you new options.

How the Diocese of Providence Enabled Clergy Abuse for Decades

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. This was not a matter of a few isolated incidents. It was a systemic failure that touched parishes across Rhode Island.

The diocesan records, described as “damning” in the report, revealed that the Diocese often transferred accused priests to new assignments without thoroughly investigating complaints or contacting law enforcement. This practice allowed accused clergy to continue accessing children in new communities.

The report alleges the Diocese kept a secret archive detailing abuse allegations and often moved accused priests to new parishes, rather than alerting authorities. Survivors who came forward were frequently dismissed, disbelieved, or silenced.

The report identified 75 clergy members who sexually abused more than 300 children since 1950. Officials stressed that the true number of victims is likely much higher. Many survivors never reported the abuse, and many who did report it were ignored.

Father Powers served within this institutional culture. The Diocese’s pattern of prioritizing its own reputation over the safety of children created the conditions that allowed abuse to go unaddressed. Survivors who were abused by Father Powers or by any other member of the Diocese clergy may have legal claims not only against the individual priest, but also against the Diocese itself for enabling or covering up the harm.

Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law Opens a Door for Survivors of Father Powers

Rhode Island’s new 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.

The legislation (2026-H 7200A, 2026-S 2616A) was sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Carol Hagan McEntee and Senator Mark McKenney. Governor Dan McKee signed it into law on June 11, 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.

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 new 2026 law directly addresses that gap. Survivors can now bring claims against institutions like the Diocese of Providence for their role in enabling or concealing abuse.

This is a critical window for survivors of Father Powers. If you believed your time to pursue justice had passed, that may no longer be true. The window is open now, and it will close on June 30, 2028. Speaking with a sexual assault lawyer as soon as possible gives you the best chance to evaluate your options before that deadline arrives.

What a Civil Lawsuit Against the Diocese of Providence Can Mean for Survivors

A civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal proceeding. You do not need a criminal conviction, a police report, or even a prior complaint to file a civil claim. Many survivors of clergy abuse never reported to law enforcement, and that does not disqualify them from pursuing civil justice.

In a civil case, survivors can hold both the individual abuser and the institution accountable. The Diocese of Providence, as the supervising body over Father Powers and other accused clergy, had a duty to protect the children in its care. When it failed to act on abuse allegations, or actively concealed them, it may bear legal responsibility for the harm that resulted.

Anyone reading the Attorney General’s report has to find it horrifying that people could, with such disregard for children’s welfare, put their financial situation and their good name above children’s lives. A civil lawsuit is one way to hold that institution accountable in a concrete, meaningful way.

Rhode Island General Laws, including the provisions under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51, govern civil claims for childhood sexual abuse. The 2026 revival window created by H-7200A/S-2616A now allows survivors to bring those claims against institutions and supervisors, even when the underlying abuse occurred decades ago.

Survivors who come forward during the revival window can pursue civil remedies for the harm they suffered. Filing a claim is not about reliving trauma for its own sake. It is about holding powerful institutions accountable and making sure what happened to you is never minimized or buried again. A compassionate sexual assault attorney at Sommers Schwartz can walk you through what the process looks like and what to expect at every step.

Why Survivors of Father Powers Should Contact Sommers Schwartz Now

Sommers Schwartz represents survivors of clergy sexual abuse across Rhode Island and multiple states. The attorneys at this firm understand that coming forward takes courage, and they approach every case with the sensitivity and seriousness it deserves. You will never be judged for how long it took you to speak up. Healing is not linear, and neither is the decision to pursue justice.

The two-year revival window created by H-7200A/S-2616A 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. That deadline may feel distant, but building a strong civil case takes time. Gathering records, identifying witnesses, and developing legal strategy all require preparation. The sooner you reach out, the more time your legal team has to work on your behalf.

Sommers Schwartz handles clergy abuse cases with the understanding that survivors come from all walks of life. Victims of clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island have come from every community, every ethnic group, and from all economic and social backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you grew up, your experience is valid and your case deserves attention.

If you were abused by Father John Powers, or by any other member of the Diocese of Providence clergy, Sommers Schwartz wants to hear from you. The firm offers confidential consultations, and you can discuss your situation without any obligation. You can also explore the option of filing anonymously as a Jane Doe or John Doe plaintiff if you are concerned about privacy. The team at Sommers Schwartz will make sure you understand every choice available to you before you decide on a path forward.

FAQs About Father Powers and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Was Father John Powers officially identified as a credibly accused priest in Rhode Island?

Yes. Father John Powers is listed in Appendix A of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence. The Attorney General determined he was credibly accused of child sexual misconduct based on the totality of evidence available, including diocesan records, law enforcement records, and other materials reviewed during the investigation.

Can I still file a lawsuit related to Father Powers if the abuse happened decades ago?

Possibly, yes. 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. If you were abused by Father Powers, speaking with an attorney now is the best way to find out whether your claim qualifies.

Can I sue the Diocese of Providence, not just Father Powers himself?

The new 2026 law specifically allows survivors to bring claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up abuse. The Diocese of Providence, as the body responsible for assigning and overseeing priests like Father Powers, may bear civil liability for its role in the abuse. An attorney can evaluate the specific facts of your situation and advise you on who the appropriate defendants are in your case.

Do I need a police report or prior complaint to file a civil lawsuit?

No. A civil lawsuit is entirely separate from any criminal case. You do not need a prior police report, a criminal conviction, or any formal complaint on file to pursue a civil claim. Many survivors of clergy abuse never reported to law enforcement, and that does not prevent them from seeking civil justice. What matters is the facts of what happened to you and when it occurred.

Will my identity be kept private if I file a lawsuit?

Rhode Island courts allow survivors to file civil lawsuits anonymously in appropriate cases, using designations like Jane Doe or John Doe. This can protect your identity from public disclosure while still allowing you to pursue your claim. The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz can advise you on whether anonymous filing is an option in your specific case and how to protect your privacy throughout the legal process.

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 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 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