Father William O'Connell Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Even decades after his death, new sexual abuse allegations are still surfacing about Father William O’Connell, a former priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. A new lookback window opened for child sexual abuse lawsuits in the state in July 2026, giving survivors another chance to take action even if the abuse they endured occurred years ago.
Contact Helping Survivors to get connected with a Rhode Island clergy abuse lawyer to understand your rights and legal options.
- Father William O’Connell was a priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, until his arrest in 1985 for the sexual abuse of three boys.
- The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office says O’Connell has at least 23 known victims and is one of the worst serial child abusers in state history.
- If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse by Father William O’Connell, no matter how long ago it occurred, you have legal rights and options for holding the church accountable.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse Against Father William O'Connell
Father William C. O’Connell was ordained in 1950 and served in the Diocese of Providence for over 30 years. He was assigned to four parishes over three years beginning in 1950, then became a Navy chaplain before resigning to reportedly avoid a court-martial for “criminal homosexual contact.”
After serving in the Navy, he returned to Providence and served at six churches in less than 20 years due to repeated reassignments. His longest tenure was at St. Mary Church in Bristol from 1972 to 1985, where most of the accusations of child sexual abuse arose. After O’Connell’s death, the Diocese received 12 more complaints of sexual abuse against him, bringing the total of known victims to 23. The state considers him one of the worst serial child abusers in Rhode Island history.
Legal Actions Against Father William O’Connell
O’Connell was accused of the sexual abuse of at least 23 boys aged 9 to 16 from 1950 to 1983, mostly at the St. Mary Rectory in Bristol or his home in South Kingstown. According to court records, most of O’Connell’s victims reported he abused them by pressuring them to sleep in his bed and providing alcohol. On at least three occasions, he abused victims with other priests.
In 1985, O’Connell retired after his arrest on sexual abuse charges. He pleaded no contest to 26 counts related to the sexual abuse of three boys from 1972 to 1985, and served one year in a work-release program.
He was arrested again in 1994—this time in New Jersey—for sexual assault and creating child sexual abuse materials, and was eventually sentenced to ten years in prison. He died in prison in 1996.
Two abuse lawsuits against Father O’Connell were settled in 1993 and 1994, and two more were settled in 2002 and 2003.
How the Church Enabled O’Connell’s Abuse
After he resigned from the Diocese of Providence in 1985, O’Connell continued to receive financial support from the Diocese until his 1994 conviction in New Jersey.
One victim said his father complained to the church in 1970, and O’Connell was soon transferred to another church. In 1978, a priest alerted two bishops to complaints about O’Connell, alleging he had a steady stream of boys alone in his home, but the bishops did not act, with one calling the report “unconvincing.”
After O’Connell’s arrest, various parishioners wrote to Bishop Louis Gelineau, who received complaints about O’Connell’s conduct, stating that “for years we have tried to tell you of our suspicions” about O’Connell’s abuse. The Rhode Island Attorney General questioned Gelineau’s assertion that the Diocese was unaware of O’Connell’s misconduct before his arrest.
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How To File a Civil Lawsuit Against Father William O'Connell & Rhode Island Clergy
Survivors of sexual abuse by Father William O’Connell or other Rhode Island clergy members may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the institutions, organizations, administrators, and oversight agencies for failing to prevent or stop abuse.
Rhode Island’s new lookback window for child sexual abuse lawsuits gives survivors of abuse, no matter how long ago it occurred, the ability to sue until July 2028. At least 33 suits were filed on the first day of the new lookback window alone. These lawsuits allege that church officials knew or should have known about the misconduct by clergy members such as O’Connell.
To learn more about your rights and legal options after experiencing clergy abuse in Rhode Island, contact Helping Survivors. We can connect you with an experienced clergy abuse lawyer for a free case evaluation.
How To Report Clergy Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, a new law took effect on July 1, 2026, establishing a revival period for certain previously time-barred claims. The window applies to claims arising over the last 35 years and is open for two years, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Thus, survivors of clergy abuse in Rhode Island can now file lawsuits against the perpetrators and enablers of abuse, in addition to reporting it to law enforcement and the church.
Report to Law Enforcement & State Oversight Agencies
To report clergy abuse to law enforcement and state oversight agencies in Rhode Island, contact the following organizations.
- Rhode Island State Police Special Victims Unit dedicated clergy abuse hotline: (401) 764-0142
- RI Child Protective Services (Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline): 1-800-742-4453 (1-800-RI-CHILD)
- The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office: (401) 274-4400
Report to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
To report clergy abuse to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, contact the following:
- Office of Compliance: Contact Co-Director Kevin O’Brien at (401) 941-0760 or email kobrien@dpvd.org.
- Victim Assistance Coordinator: Contact the Director of the Office of Outreach and Prevention, Dr. Michael Hansen, at (401) 946-0728 or email mhansen@dpvd.org.
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