Rhode Island Clergy Sex Abuse Lawsuit
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- An investigation by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General found that 75 clergy members from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence abused more than 300 children between 1950 and 2022.
- New legislation created a two-year revival window from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028 allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against institutions and organizations, even if the statute of limitations has already expired.
- Diocese of Providence revealed that it had paid over $21 million in settlements to survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy members.
- Our partnered sex abuse attorneys can help you file a civil lawsuit against the church. They operate on a contingency basis which means they only get paid if they win your case.
Overview of Sexual Abuse Allegations
The Catholic Church in Rhode Island has faced widespread allegations of abuse by clergy members since the mid-20th century, and the Diocese of Providence alone has had at least 75 bishops, priests, and other clergy members credibly accused of abuse. Several former priests in the Diocese have been indicted and even convicted on child sexual abuse charges, while others have quietly settled abuse claims against them outside of court with the Church’s help. Abuse by clergy members can include grooming, molestation, rape, and more, and the Church has been found time and time again to cover up reports of abuse and silence vicitms.
Allegations against the Dioceses of Providence include abuse by Father Richard Holden. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Holden has been credibly accused of sexually abusing at least five boys. The allegations span multiple decades and parishes. Investigators also found evidence that church officials were aware of concerns about Holden as early as the late 1960s but failed to take meaningful action. The report identified him as one of dozens of priests accused of abusing children while serving in the diocese.
Since Pennsylvania’s bombshell 2018 grand jury report identifying hundreds of Catholic clergy members accused of sexual abuse, many states have followed suit in working to identify abusers in the Church and compensate survivors for what they endured.
The Rhode Island Senate unanimously approved legislation that would create a two-year revival window from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. This allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against institutions and organizations that allegedly enabled or concealed abuse, even if the statute of limitations has already expired.
On July 2, 2026, in light of the lookback window opening on July 1, 30 new lawsuits were filed against Rhode Island clergy, including many of which name the Catholic Diocese of Providence or “The Bishop” as defendants.
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Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Settlements
The Diocese of Providence has paid millions to survivors of clergy abuse. In 2019,
the diocese disclosed it had paid more than $21 million in settlements to abuse survivors.
- 2008: 4 separate lawsuits reached a $1.3 million settlement for multiple survivors. This was because some of the plaintiffs from the original 2002 settlement rejected that offer and filed a second lawsuit. The average per case payout was $325,000.
- 2002: 36 survivors were awarded a $13.5 million settlement alleging sexual abuse against 10 priests and 1 nun. The legal battle lasted 10 years before a settlement was reached. The average payout per survivor was $375,000.
What Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Settlements Tell Us
Diocese settlements in Rhode Island have ranged from $325,000 to $375,000+ per survivor on average. Individual settlements vary based on:
- Severity and duration of abuse
- Number of perpetrators involved
- Evidence of institutional negligence or cover-up
- Victim’s psychological/medical impact
- Quality of legal representation
With the 2026 revival window, the diocese may face additional claims that could increase this total.
Rhode Island Statute of Limitations: What to Know
In 2026, a two-year “lookback window” was passed allowing survivors to file claims that would otherwise be time-barred by the statute of limitations. The lookback window started on July 1, 2026, and extends until June 30, 2028.
Originally, survivors could pursue abuse that occurred before 2024 until the survivor turns 53. In 2019, Annie’s Law went into effect, making the statute of limitations retroactive so survivors under 53 could file regardless of when abuse occurred.
In a criminal case, a prosecutor files charges against the perpetrator, who may face jail time if they are found guilty of a crime. Civil cases, however, allow victims to hold both the perpetrator and any liable third parties financially accountable for abuse.
How a Clergy Sex Abuse Attorney Can Help
Sexual abuse attorneys and legal teams work not just to help victims of abuse secure justice and compensation but to guide them on the path to healing through sensitive, trauma-informed practices. Our partnered attorneys at Milberg can assist you with gathering evidence, securing expert testimony, accessing hard-to-reach church records that may corroborate your claim, filing documents on time, and providing emotional support throughout the legal process. By working with an experienced lawyer at Milberg, you may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and more.
Our partnered clergy sex abuse attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay anything for their services unless they win your case.
Meet The Milberg Team
Marc Grossman
Senior Partner, Milberg PLLC
30+ years of complex litigation experience. Marc leads Milberg’s Sexual Abuse Practice and is recognized by Lawdragon 500 as one of America’s leading litigators. He’s committed to institutional accountability and survivor support.
Melinda Maxson
Senior Counsel, Milberg PLLC
20+ years representing survivors. Melinda has been involved in landmark cases exposing systemic failures in institutions, including her work on the T.T. v. Roblox case. She believes survivors deserve every legal avenue to seek accountability.
Legal Rights & Options for Survivors Impacted by Sexual Abuse
Under Rhode Island’s Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights, a number of rights are guaranteed to all victims of sexual assault and abuse, even if they choose not to participate in the criminal justice system or obtain a medical examination. Survivors of sexual assault in Rhode Island have:
- The right to obtain a medical examination and sexual assault evidence kit
- The right to choose whether to report the SA to law enforcement
- The right to consult with a victim advocate
- The right to pursue victim compensation
File a Civil Lawsuit
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse by clergy have the right to file civil lawsuits against both the individual clergy member who abused them and the Church itself for failing to protect them. Civil lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for the emotional, medical, and financial harm they endured as a result of the abuse. However, many states give survivors deadlines for filing these lawsuits. In Rhode Island, the civil child sexual abuse statute of limitations was extended to the victim’s 53rd birthday in 2019.
Under the current legislation, survivors can bring lawsuits not just against against institutions, like the church, for concealing the abuse, poor hiring practices, and failure to report.
Report Abuse to Oversight Agencies
In Rhode Island, all citizens are considered mandatory reporters. This means that any individual with reasonable suspicion of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, must report it to the state’s child abuse hotline within 24 hours of discovery. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-RI-CHILD (1-800-742-4453), and you may call anonymously. Additionally, you can report the abuse directly to the Church at some Diocese–for the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, you can contact the Office of Compliance to report abuse by clergy.
Report Sexual Abuse to Law Enforcement
Reporting sexual abuse to law enforcement is crucial to initiate any criminal investigation, and these reports can also serve as evidence in civil cases. Victims of Rhode Island clergy abuse can contact the Rhode Island State Police at 401-764-0142 to report abuse.
Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
If you or a loved one endured sexual abuse by a priest, bishop, deacon, or other clergy member in Rhode Island, you are not alone, and you have rights and options for seeking justice. At Helping Survivors, we offer confidential legal support to survivors of sexual abuse, empowering them to understand their rights and options after experiencing harm. By providing resources for support, educational content, and legal introductions to our partner law firms, we aim to empower survivors to assert their rights in full confidence.
There is no right or wrong answer after experiencing sexual abuse, especially as a child. However, if you decide you would like to take legal action against the perpetrator of the abuse and the institutions that enabled it, Helping Survivors can help. Our legal partners work with survivors to file civil lawsuits against the wealthy institutions that enabled the abuse, aiming to compensate victims for their suffering. Get legal help here today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a clergy abuse claim in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island’s current statute of limitations for childhood sex abuse claims is 35 years from the time the victim reaches adulthood, meaning victims have until their 53rd birthday to file a lawsuit.
In June 2026, Senators voted to approve an amended bill that would create a two-year “revival window” for previously time-barred claims against institutions accused of enabling or covering up sexual abuse. The bill officially passed on June 11, 2026.
Who can be held responsible in a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit?
You may be able to sue multiple parties in a civil child sexual abuse lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of the abuse. It may be possible to take legal action against the individual perpetrator and the institutions or organizations that enabled or covered up the abuse, such as the Catholic Church.
How much compensation can a survivor of clergy abuse receive?
In 2019, the Diocese of Providence revealed that it had paid over $21 million in settlements to survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy members. Some clergy sex abuse cases can result in hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in compensation, but there is no guaranteed amount you can recover. Your compensation will depend on the extent, severity, and length of the abuse you endured, the lengths the Church went to cover it up, and the long-term effects the abuse had on you.
Can I remain anonymous if I file a lawsuit against the Church?
In Rhode Island, it is sometimes possible to file a sexual abuse lawsuit anonymously or under a pseudonym. To file a lawsuit anonymously, the court must grant you a request for anonymity, which is not uncommon in cases involving child sexual abuse.
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