Father Richard E. Holden Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Father Richard E. Holden was a priest in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, who was credibly accused of sexual abuse by at least five victims. If you or a loved one experienced abuse by Father Holden, no matter how long ago it occurred, Helping Survivors can connect you with an attorney to determine whether you have grounds for a legal claim.
- Father Richard E. Holden was a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, who was accused of sexually abusing at least five children.
- Even though he died in 1985, survivors of childhood sexual abuse by Father Richard E. Holden still have options under the law for seeking justice.
Father Richard E. Holden was ordained in 1964 and served in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, until his death in 1985 at age 46. Several allegations of sexual abuse were made against him after his death, and he was named on the diocese’s list of credibly accused clergy members in 2019.
Holden served at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Narragansett, St. Aloysius Church in Woonsocket, Sacred Heart Church in Pawtucket, and St. Vincent De Paul Church in Coventry. He spent the most time at St. Vincent De Paul from 1971 to 1985, and most of the allegations against him so far involve his time there.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse Against Richard E. Holden
Since 1997, at least five men have accused Richard E. Holden of sexually abusing them as minors. Diocesan files show there may have been complaints about Holden as early as 1967, but the first report to the diocese wasn’t made until the 1990s—after he died.
The first victim said he was abused by Holden multiple times in the 1970s at St. Vincent De Paul Parish in Coventry. The diocese’s documents have no record that this complaint was ever referred to the Diocesan Review Board.
In 2010, another man told the diocese that Holden sexually abused him and his brother at St. Vincent De Paul between 1980 and 1982. The diocese received more allegations of clergy sexual abuse by Holden in 2013, 2019, and 2020 involving alleged abuse throughout the 1960s and 1970s at St. Vincent’s and St. Aloysius Parish.
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Do I Have A Case?
Rhode Island’s new child sexual abuse lookback window for civil lawsuits gives survivors until July 2028 to file lawsuits over institutional sexual abuse, regardless of how long ago it occurred. Even though Holden is deceased, survivors of his abuse may still have options for holding the Diocese accountable for allowing him to continue as a priest despite complaints.
You may be eligible to file a lawsuit for abuse by Father Richard E. Holden even if the abuse occurred decades ago and criminal charges were never filed. Depending on the circumstances, you may have a claim against the Diocese of Providence for failing to protect you. Contact Helping Survivors to speak with an attorney about their individual circumstances.
Rights of Survivors in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Rhode Island
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island may have multiple options for holding the responsible parties accountable, including reporting the abuse to law enforcement and church oversight agencies and filing a civil lawsuit.
Report to Law Enforcement
Reporting sexual abuse to law enforcement may initiate a criminal investigation into the abuser, and these reports can also serve as evidence in civil cases. Additionally, in Rhode Island, any individual with a reasonable suspicion of child abuse must report it to the state’s child abuse hotline within 24 hours of discovery. You can report to any of the following resources.
- Rhode Island State Police Special Victims Unit dedicated clergy abuse hotline at (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 at (401) 274-4400
Report to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
To report Catholic priest sexual abuse to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, contact the Diocese’s Office of Compliance or Victim Assistance Coordinator.
- 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 for Abuse by Father Richard E. Holden
Generally, survivors of childhood sexual abuse by clergy have the right to file civil lawsuits against both the individual clergy members who abused them and religious institutions for failing to protect them. However, because Holden is deceased, lawsuits can only be filed against the parties that enabled abuse, such as the Diocese or its administrators.
Rhode Island’s 2026 update to its statute of limitations created a revival period for certain claims that were previously time-barred. The window is open for two years through June 30, 2028.
If Father Richard E. Holden abused you, Helping Survivors can help you access resources for support and connect you with our legal partners, who can explain your rights and provide legal representation.
Contact Helping Survivors today for a free case evaluation.
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