Survivor advocates are renewing calls for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence to release internal records after a man reported an allegation of childhood sexual abuse involving the late Rev. Raymond C. Theroux.
According to an attorney, the man alleges that Theroux sexually abused him twice inside the rectory of St. John Vianney Parish in Cumberland, Rhode Island, around 1996. The impacted individual was approximately 9 years old at the time of the alleged misconduct.
Theroux served at St. John Vianney for 28 years and died in December 2024. The Diocese of Providence said it had not been notified of an allegation or lawsuit involving him when contacted about the advocates’ claims. The reported allegation comes as Rhode Island gives childhood sexual abuse survivors a limited opportunity to bring certain civil claims that may previously have been blocked by filing deadlines.
Theroux Was Not Included in the Attorney General’s Report
In March 2026, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha released an extensive report examining allegations of child sexual misconduct within the Diocese of Providence.
Appendix A of the report identified 72 clergy members whom the Attorney General’s Office determined had been credibly accused. Theroux was not included. The broader investigation reviewed decades of church records and reported allegations involving more than 300 children, although state officials have said the full number of impacted individuals may be higher. Theroux’s absence from the report does not independently prove or disprove a later allegation. New reports may emerge after an investigation is completed, and some survivors do not disclose childhood sexual abuse until years or decades later.
An attorney said the absence of information about Theroux from the state report is one reason he believes the diocese should disclose additional internal records. Advocates argue that those files could help survivors understand what church officials knew and how previous complaints were handled.
What Are the Diocese’s Canon 489 Files?
Advocates are specifically requesting records maintained under Canon 489 of the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law.
Canon 489 directs each diocese to maintain a locked, secure archive or cabinet for documents designated as secret. The rule also states that certain records involving moral criminal cases may be destroyed after an accused person dies or 10 years after a condemnatory sentence, although a summary and the final sentence must be retained. Survivor advocates have argued that disclosure of relevant files could provide validation, identify previously unknown complaints, and clarify whether institutional leaders received information about alleged misconduct.
An attorney has called on Providence Bishop Bruce Lewandowski to release all relevant Canon 489 files. The diocese did not answer the news outlet’s question about whether it would negotiate or consider such a release.
Michael Kieloch, the Diocese of Providence’s communications director, said Theroux was not named in the Attorney General’s list and did not appear elsewhere in the state’s report. Kieloch also stated that Theroux served as a diocesan priest for 59 years and died “in good standing” in 2024.
Rhode Island’s Two-Year Civil Filing Window Is Open
The renewed attention comes after Rhode Island enacted Public Law 2026, Chapter 81. Governor Dan McKee signed the legislation on June 11, and it took effect on July 1, 2026.
The law creates a temporary revival period for certain childhood sexual abuse claims that would otherwise be barred by an expired statute of limitations. Eligible victims have until June 30, 2028, to file a civil lawsuit under the revival provision. The legislation also addresses claims involving parties whose alleged conduct caused or contributed to childhood sexual abuse, including through negligent supervision, hiring, training, monitoring, concealment, or failure to report. This does not mean every survivor automatically has a viable case. Eligibility may depend on where the alleged conduct occurred, the parties involved, available evidence, previous settlements and other case-specific facts.
A civil lawsuit is separate from a criminal case. Civil claims may seek financial compensation and institutional accountability, while criminal proceedings are brought by government prosecutors.
What Survivors Can Do After Clergy Sexual Abuse
There is no single correct response to childhood sexual abuse. Survivors remain in control of whether, when and how they seek support.
Possible next steps may include speaking with a trauma-informed counselor, writing down remembered details, preserving correspondence or church records, reporting information to law enforcement, or discussing civil legal options with an attorney. A survivor may explore one of these options, several of them or none at all.
Because Raymond Theroux is deceased, an attorney stated that a criminal prosecution cannot be brought against him. He said his client was nevertheless considering making a police report to create an official record and help authorities understand the possible scope of clergy sexual abuse.
Get Legal Help for Rhode Island Clergy Sexual Abuse
Rhode Island’s filing window gives some childhood sexual abuse victims a limited period to evaluate civil claims against alleged perpetrators and institutions. Survivors who experienced sexual harm connected with the Diocese of Providence, a parish, a religious school or another faith-based organization may have rights and resources available—even when the abuse happened decades ago.
Helping Survivors provides clear information about reporting, support services and civil legal options. We may also be able to connect impacted individuals with experienced law firms that handle religious-institution sexual abuse cases.
Contact Helping Survivors to learn how Rhode Island’s June 30, 2028 deadline may apply to your circumstances.
