Rhode Island attorney general issues abuse report
March 05, 2026
» Continue to this story on RI Office of the Attorney General
CWN Editor's Note: Rhode Island’s attorney general released a report on clerical sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence, the state’s sole diocese.
The attorney general “identified 75 credibly accused clergy, including 61 Diocesan priests and deacons, 13 religious order members, and one extern priest, who reportedly abused over 300 victims from 1950 to 2011,” according to the report. “Particularly under Bishops Russell McVinney and Louis Gelineau, accused priests were repeatedly returned to ministry, in positions where they had access to, and sexually abused, more children.”
Bishop McVinney was diocesan bishop from 1948 to 1971; Bishop Gelineau, from 1971 to 1997, when he resigned at the age of 69.
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
