Father Rene Guertin Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Father Rene Guertin, a priest who served in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, allegedly sexually abused at least three children during his ministry. Guertin died in 1982, but survivors of his abuse still have legal rights and options. Rhode Island’s new lookback window gives survivors until July 2028 to file lawsuits for child sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it occurred.
- Father Rene Guertin, a now-deceased priest in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, has been credibly accused of sexual abuse.
- At least three people have come forward with allegations that Guertin sexually abused them as minors at several locations, including St. Aloysius Home and Our Lady of Good Help Church.
- Survivors of clergy sex abuse in Rhode Island have legal rights and options for holding the Diocese of Providence accountable for allowing Guertin to continue his ministry despite complaints.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse Against Father Rene Guertin
Father Rene Guertin was named on the Diocese of Providence’s 2019 list of credibly accused clergy. However, since that publication, more allegations have surfaced.
Guertin was ordained in 1946, retired in 1980, and died in 1982. During his time in the diocese, he was assigned to the following:
- St. Andrew Church, New Shoreham: 1946
- St. Xavier Academy, Providence: 1946-1952
- St. Aloysius Home, Smithfield: 1946-1969
- La Salle Academy, Providence: 1952-1969
- Our Lady of Good Help Church, Burrillville: 1969-1980
Guertin is accused of sexually abusing two girls in the 1960s at St. Aloysius, an orphanage in Smithfield, as well as a third girl at Our Lady of Good Help Church in 1970. At least two other people have also accused Guertin of physical or sexual abuse at St. Aloysius in the 1950s. Guertin’s alleged victims were as young as four years old when the abuse occurred.
Legal Action Against Father Rene Guertin
Since Rhode Island opened its child sex abuse lawsuit revival window in July 2026, more than 50 lawsuits have been filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. St. Aloysius was the most commonly named location of the alleged abuse—six lawsuits allege abuse there. The alleged victims lived at the orphanage between 1969 and 1989. At least one of those lawsuits raises sexual abuse allegations against Guertin.
The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families began sending boys in its custody to the St. Aloysius orphanage in the 1970s. This practice continued until 1993, when 16 boys reported sexual abuse. The diocese closed the orphanage in 1994.
Given Guertin’s work history at schools and orphanages where he had significant contact with minors, other abuse survivors may not yet have come forward.
How the Church Enabled Guertin's Abuse
The first documented report of improper conduct by Guertin was made in 1973, when a parish trustee notified the Diocese of Providence that Guertin was living with a 14-year-old girl at the rectory in Burrillville.
The next complaint came in 2007—25 years after Guertin’s death. The complainant said that Guertin sexually assaulted her repeatedly over seven years, beginning at age 10, at Our Lady of Good Help. The diocese referred this complaint to law enforcement, but there is no record that they did anything about the original one.
The diocese received two more complaints in 2014 and 2015 about Guertin’s behavior at St. Aloysius, and another complaint for abuse at St. Aloysius was filed in 2022. Several complainants said that other clergy members knew about and aided the abuse when it was happening.
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Rights of Survivors in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Rhode Island
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island have rights and legal options for holding the responsible parties accountable—even if the perpetrator, like Guertin, is now deceased. They may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Providence and seek compensation for the harm they’ve suffered. Survivors can also report the abuse to law enforcement and government oversight agencies.
In June 2026, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed legislation expanding access to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The legislation created a two-year lookback window for victims to bring otherwise time-barred claims against institutions that enabled or covered up child sexual abuse. The two-year revival window is open through June 30, 2028.
Report to Law Enforcement & State Oversight Agencies
Although not required for filing a civil lawsuit, survivors can report clergy sex abuse to law enforcement and oversight agencies in Rhode Island. To report abuse, contact the following:
- 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)
- Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office: (401) 274-4400
Report to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
Survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members in the Diocese of Providence can submit a report to the following:
- Office of Compliance: Contact Co-Director Kevin O’Brien at (401) 941-0760 or email kobrien@dpvd.org.
- Victim Assistance Coordinator: Contact Dr. Michael Hansen, Director of the Office of Outreach and Prevention, at (401) 946-0728 or email mhansen@dpvd.org.
File a Civil Lawsuit Against the Diocese of Providence
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse as a minor by Father Rene Guertin or another Rhode Island clergy member, you have options for coming forward and seeking accountability.
At Helping Survivors, we can connect you with support resources and legal representation, even if the abuse occurred long ago. Contact us today to learn more about your rights and options.
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