Deacon Edward J. Sadowski Jr. is one of more than 70 clergy members the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office has identified as credibly accused of child sexual misconduct within the Diocese of Providence. His name appears in the Attorney General’s official report, and his documented history of criminal convictions makes him one of the most serious cases in the diocese’s long record of clergy abuse. If you or someone you love was harmed by Deacon Sadowski, you are not alone, and what happened was not your fault. Rhode Island law now gives survivors a real opportunity to seek civil justice, and the attorneys at Sommers Schwartz are here to help you understand your options.

Table of Contents

• Who Is Deacon Edward Sadowski and What Did the Rhode Island Attorney General Find?
• How the Diocese of Providence Handled Clergy Abuse Allegations for Decades
• Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law Opens a Two-Year Window for Survivors
• What Rhode Island Law Says About Institutional Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases
• Why Survivors of Deacon Sadowski Should Consider Taking Legal Action Now
• FAQs About Deacon Edward Sadowski and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Who Is Deacon Edward Sadowski and What Did the Rhode Island Attorney General Find?

Deacon Edward J. Sadowski Jr. was ordained on June 18, 1977, and served in the Diocese of Providence for more than two decades. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office credibly accused clergy list, his assignments included SS. John and Paul Church in Coventry, St. Joseph Church in Hope Valley, Shady Acres Rest Home in Coventry, and St. Vincent de Paul Church in Coventry. He was suspended on July 30, 2001.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office determined that Deacon Sadowski 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. His inclusion in the official report is based on law enforcement records, records of criminal and civil proceedings, victim and witness interviews, and other available information.

Deacon Edward J. Sadowski Jr. was arrested in Massachusetts in 2001 after arranging over the internet to meet someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex and pornographic videos. He was sentenced in 2002 to two years in prison and five years’ probation. He was then arrested in Rhode Island twice more on similar charges, and was convicted in May 2010.

His suspension from ministry in 2001 came after his first arrest, but survivors who experienced harm during his decades of active ministry deserve to know that a path to civil accountability may still be open to them. A sexual assault lawyer with experience in Rhode Island clergy abuse cases can evaluate your specific situation and explain what legal options apply to you.

How the Diocese of Providence Handled Clergy Abuse Allegations for Decades

As a result of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s investigation, the Attorney General identified 75 credibly accused clergy, including 61 diocesan priests and deacons, 13 religious order members, and one extern priest, who reportedly abused over 300 victims from 1950 to 2011. Deacon Sadowski is one of those individuals.

For decades, the Diocese of Providence engaged in a well-worn pattern of protecting the reputation of the Church and its priests over the welfare of children. They failed to report the abuse to civil authorities, failed to properly investigate complaints internally, and failed to remove accused priests from positions where they had access to even more children.

There was also evidence that the diocese had a practice of destroying confidential files when priests died, which means that the full scope of abuse may never be fully known. For survivors, this pattern of institutional concealment is not just disturbing. It is legally significant, because it speaks directly to the question of institutional responsibility.

Deacon Sadowski served in Coventry and Hope Valley parishes for years before his suspension. During that time, the diocese had an obligation to supervise its clergy and protect the children in its care. When institutions fail that obligation, survivors have the right to hold them accountable in civil court. Connecting with a sexual abuse lawyer who understands the Diocese of Providence’s history is a critical first step.

Rhode Island’s New Child Sexual Abuse Law Opens a Two-Year Window for Survivors

Rhode Island took a landmark step for survivors in 2026. 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 is the most significant legal development for Rhode Island abuse survivors in years.

The law, known as H-7200A/S-2616A, 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 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 means survivors who believed their time had passed now have a real chance to seek justice.

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 directly addresses that gap. 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 Deacon Sadowski’s abuse, this window is critically important. The Diocese of Providence, as the institution that supervised him and suspended him only after a criminal arrest, may now face civil accountability during this two-year period. Time is limited, so reaching out to a qualified sexual assault attorney as soon as possible protects your ability to act.

What Rhode Island Law Says About Institutional Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

Rhode Island’s civil liability framework has long recognized that institutions, not just individual abusers, can be held responsible for the harm caused by their employees or agents. The 2026 law, H-7200A/S-2616A, strengthens that framework by making it possible to sue institutions and supervisors for enabling or covering up abuse, even when those claims were previously blocked by expired deadlines.

Under Rhode Island General Laws, civil claims for childhood sexual abuse are governed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51, as amended by the 2026 legislation. Survivors now have 35 years from the date of the abuse, or 7 years from the time they first connected their injury to the abuse, whichever is later. The clock does not start running until a survivor turns 18. This extended forward-looking deadline applies to future claims.

For survivors whose claims are already time-barred, the revival window is the key provision. The two-year window, also known as a lookback window, temporarily lifts the statute of limitations on previously expired claims. All time-barred claims must be filed by June 30, 2028, or they may be forever barred.

Institutional liability claims against the Diocese of Providence could include negligent supervision, negligent retention, and failure to report known abuse to civil authorities. The Attorney General’s report documents all three of those failures in detail. If Deacon Sadowski harmed you or someone you love during his years of active ministry, the 2026 law gives you a concrete legal basis to pursue a claim against the institution that put him in a position of trust and failed to act.

Why Survivors of Deacon Sadowski Should Consider Taking Legal Action Now

Coming forward is one of the hardest things a survivor can do. Many people carry the weight of abuse for years, sometimes decades, before they feel ready to speak about it. That delay is a completely normal response to trauma. It does not reduce your credibility, and it does not mean you have lost your right to justice.

Older survivors now in their 60s or 70s are being given a chance to sue through the revival window. If you were abused by Deacon Sadowski during his assignments in Coventry, Hope Valley, or elsewhere in the Diocese of Providence, this window may apply directly to your situation. The law does not require you to have reported the abuse previously, and it does not require a criminal conviction to file a civil claim.

Civil cases serve a different purpose than criminal prosecution. A civil lawsuit can result in financial compensation for the harm you suffered, including the emotional, psychological, and physical impact of abuse. It can also create a formal record of institutional accountability, which matters to other survivors and to the broader community.

Sommers Schwartz represents survivors across Rhode Island and brings a trauma-informed approach to every case. Our attorneys understand the courage it takes to come forward, and we treat every client with the dignity and respect they deserve. The firm handles clergy abuse cases involving the Diocese of Providence, including those tied to specific parishes and assignments like those held by Deacon Sadowski. The revival window closes on June 30, 2028, so acting soon gives you the most time to build a strong case.

FAQs About Deacon Edward Sadowski and Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Claims

Was Deacon Sadowski ever criminally convicted for sexual offenses?

Yes. According to publicly available records and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s credibly accused clergy list, Deacon Edward J. Sadowski Jr. was arrested in Massachusetts in 2001 on charges related to soliciting a minor online. He received a prison sentence and probation. He was later arrested in Rhode Island twice more on similar charges and was convicted in May 2010. His suspension from ministry came in July 2001, following his first arrest.

Does the 2026 Rhode Island lookback window apply to claims against the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. 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 applies specifically to claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up sexual abuse of a child. The Diocese of Providence, as the institution that supervised Deacon Sadowski, is the type of institutional defendant the law is designed to reach. The window remains open through June 30, 2028.

What if I was abused during Deacon Sadowski’s ministry but never reported it?

You do not need to have previously reported the abuse to law enforcement or the diocese to file a civil claim. Many survivors never reported their abuse, and that is understandable. The 2026 law does not penalize survivors for delayed disclosure. What matters is that the abuse occurred and that you are filing your civil claim within the applicable time period. Speaking with an attorney confidentially is the best way to understand how the law applies to your specific situation.

Can I file a civil lawsuit anonymously in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island courts do allow survivors to file civil lawsuits using a pseudonym, such as Jane Doe or John Doe, in certain circumstances. This option exists to protect survivors’ privacy and reduce the fear of public exposure that can prevent people from coming forward. Whether anonymous filing is appropriate in your case depends on the specific facts and procedural posture of your claim. An attorney can advise you on how to protect your identity while still pursuing justice.

How do I get started with a potential claim involving Deacon Sadowski or the Diocese of Providence?

The first step is a confidential conversation with an attorney who handles Rhode Island clergy abuse cases. At Sommers Schwartz, there is no cost for an initial consultation. You can share your story in a safe, private setting, and an attorney will explain what legal options are available to you under Rhode Island law, including the 2026 lookback window. Because the revival window closes on June 30, 2028, reaching out sooner rather than later gives you the most time to act. You can contact Sommers Schwartz directly through sommerspc.com to get started.

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 Reynolds
• Father Rocha
• Father Santagata
• Father Francis Santilli
• Father John Scagnelli
• Father Smyth
• Father Tanguay
• Father Tedeschi
• Father Tormey
• Father Tousignant
• Father Turillo
• Father Ventre