Father Paul F. Reynolds served as a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Providence for over four decades. He is now among the clergy members the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office has determined to be credibly accused of child sexual abuse. If you or someone you love experienced abuse at his hands, you are not alone, and what happened was not your fault. Rhode Island law has recently changed in ways that may directly affect your ability to seek justice, even if you believed your time had passed.

Table of Contents

• Who Was Father Paul F. Reynolds and Where Did He Serve?
• What Allegations Has Father Reynolds Faced?
• How the Diocese of Providence Handled Abuse Complaints Against Its Clergy
• Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law (H-7200A/S-2616A) and What It Means for Reynolds Survivors
• Your Legal Rights as a Survivor and Why Acting Now Matters
• FAQs About Father Reynolds and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Who Was Father Paul F. Reynolds and Where Did He Serve?

Father Paul F. Reynolds was born on February 22, 1939, ordained on June 6, 1965, and served as a diocesan priest in Rhode Island until his retirement in November 2007. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office credibly accused clergy list, his assignment history spanned multiple parishes across the state over more than four decades of active ministry.

Reynolds began his priestly assignments at Blessed Sacrament Church in Providence from 1965 to 1969. He then moved to St. Lawrence Church in North Providence, where he served from 1969 to 1982. After North Providence, he was assigned to St. Martha Church in East Providence from 1982 to 1992. His final active assignment was at St. Mary Church in West Warwick, where he served from 1992 until 2007. He took a medical leave of absence in February 2007 before retiring as Pastor Emeritus at St. Mary Church in November of that year. He died on October 30, 2017.

That career path, spanning four different parishes across Rhode Island, gave Reynolds sustained access to children and families in each community. Understanding where he served matters, because abuse claims are often tied to specific parishes, specific time periods, and specific communities. If you attended any of these parishes during his tenure, your experience is relevant and deserves to be heard.

What Allegations Has Father Reynolds Faced?

Father Paul F. Reynolds allegedly abused three boys at St. Lawrence Parish in North Providence in 1977 or 1978. The allegations against him are documented in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s comprehensive report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence, released on March 4, 2026.

In 2020, two men filed lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Reynolds as children in the 1970s. A third man alleged that when he was a 10-year-old altar boy in 1975, Reynolds tried to pull down his pants and underwear, and that the priest was always “touchy feely.”

The third man said he told his parents that day and that his father went to the parish and told Father James Lamb what happened. Reynolds was kept in ministry. This detail is not a footnote. It is a pattern that the Attorney General’s report documented repeatedly across the Diocese of Providence. A parent reported abuse. The Diocese was told. The priest remained in his role.

An attorney for two of the victims sued the diocese in 2020, and their lawsuits were dismissed in 2023 on the grounds that an expanded statute of limitations only applied to sexual abusers, and not their superiors and enablers. That ruling left survivors without a legal path forward, but Rhode Island has since acted to change that. The legal landscape for these survivors has shifted significantly in 2026.

How the Diocese of Providence Handled Abuse Complaints Against Its Clergy

The pattern documented in the Reynolds case, where a complaint was made and the priest continued serving, was not unique. The Attorney General described failures to report abuse to civil authorities, failures to properly investigate complaints internally, the return of accused priests to ministry, reliance on treatment, secrecy, and decisions that protected the reputation of the Church and its priests over the safety of children.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s report on the Diocese of Providence, released on March 4, 2026, examined internal diocesan records dating back to 1950. The report found that the Diocese used parish transfers as a tool to manage complaints rather than protect children. When a complaint arose, moving a priest to a new community created the false impression that the problem had been addressed, while leaving the same priest in contact with a new group of children and families who had no idea about the prior allegations.

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 keeping the abuse secret over decades. The report identified 75 clergy members who sexually abused more than 300 children since 1950. The investigation found that accused priests were repeatedly returned to ministry.

For survivors of Father Reynolds or any other accused Diocese of Providence priest, this institutional context matters in a civil lawsuit. The question is not only what the individual priest did. It is what the Diocese knew, when it knew it, and what it chose to do or not do in response. A sexual abuse lawyer experienced in clergy cases can help you understand how institutional liability applies to your specific situation.

Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law (H-7200A/S-2616A) and What It Means for Reynolds 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 and S-2616A, is the most significant legal development for Rhode Island abuse survivors in years.

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.

This matters directly for survivors of Father Reynolds. The 2020 lawsuits brought by two of his accusers were dismissed in 2023 because the prior law did not extend to institutions and supervisors. The new law specifically addresses this gap, 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 establishes a two-year revival window that runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, during which survivors may file lawsuits against alleged perpetrators and institutions. The two-year window temporarily lifts the statute of limitations of previously expired claims. All time-barred claims must be filed by June 30, 2028, or they may be forever barred.

If you were abused by Father Reynolds or another Diocese of Providence priest and previously believed your legal options were gone, this window may give you a path forward. Speaking with a qualified sexual assault lawyer as soon as possible is the most important step you can take right now. The window is open, but it will not stay open.

Your Legal Rights as a Survivor and Why Acting Now Matters

Rhode Island’s new law does more than open a temporary window. It also addresses the statute of limitations going forward. 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.

For survivors whose claims are already time-barred, the revival window is the critical opportunity. 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.

Civil claims are separate from criminal prosecution. A civil lawsuit allows a survivor to seek accountability and compensation through the court system, independent of whether criminal charges are ever filed. Many accused priests, including Father Reynolds, are deceased. That does not necessarily end a civil claim against the institution that employed them and responded to complaints about them.

Survivors often carry the weight of what happened to them for years, sometimes decades, before they are ready to talk about it. That delay is not a character flaw. It is a recognized response to trauma. The law now reflects that reality. You deserve the chance to be heard, and you deserve an advocate who understands both the legal process and the deeply personal nature of what you have experienced. A compassionate sexual assault attorney at Sommers Schwartz can review your situation confidentially and help you understand your options before the June 30, 2028 deadline.

FAQs About Father Reynolds and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Was Father Paul Reynolds officially named as a credibly accused priest by the Rhode Island Attorney General?

Yes. Father Paul F. Reynolds is named in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office credibly accused clergy list, which was published as part of the comprehensive report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence released on March 4, 2026. The Attorney General defines “credibly accused” as meaning there is a reasonable basis to believe the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred. Reynolds is identified in connection with allegations of abuse involving at least three boys at St. Lawrence Parish in North Providence in the 1970s.

Can I still file a lawsuit if I was abused by Father Reynolds 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 from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. Even if you previously believed your time had run out, this law may restore your ability to file. You should speak with an attorney promptly to evaluate your specific situation.

Can I sue the Diocese of Providence, not just the individual priest?

Yes, and this is often the most important part of a clergy abuse claim. The new Rhode Island law specifically addresses institutional liability, targeting entities that enabled or covered up abuse. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s report documented a pattern in which the Diocese of Providence received complaints about priests and chose to transfer them rather than remove them or report them to law enforcement. If the Diocese knew about complaints involving Father Reynolds and failed to act, that failure may form the basis of a separate claim against the institution itself.

Father Reynolds is deceased. Does that mean I cannot pursue a claim?

Not necessarily. Civil claims in clergy abuse cases are frequently directed at the institution, not only the individual abuser. Because the Diocese of Providence employed Father Reynolds, supervised him, and received complaints about him, the institution may bear responsibility for its own conduct regardless of whether Reynolds is living. An attorney can evaluate whether a viable claim exists against the Diocese or other responsible parties based on the specific facts of your experience.

What should I do if I am not ready to file a lawsuit but want to understand my options?

Reaching out for a confidential consultation does not obligate you to file anything. It simply gives you information. At Sommers Schwartz, we speak with survivors in a safe, non-judgmental environment and explain what the law allows, what the process looks like, and what to expect. Many survivors find that simply understanding their rights gives them a sense of control they have not felt in years. The revival window closes June 30, 2028, so the sooner you reach out, the more time you have to make an informed decision without pressure. There is no cost to speak with us, and your privacy is protected from the very first conversation.

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 Powers
• Father Rafferty
• Father Raiche
• 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