Rhode Island Report: 75 Catholic Clerics Alleged to Have Abused Over 300 Minors

On March 4, Rhode Island General Prosecutor Peter Neronha released a six-year investigation report detailing allegations of sexual abuse by 75 Catholic clerics, with over 300 minors identified as victims since 1950. The report, derived from records provided by St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Bishops’ Halls in Rhode Island, highlights a systemic failure within the local Catholic community, which comprises nearly 40 percent of the state’s population. Neronha noted that the abuse had not been fully exposed for a long time, citing a concern among some bishops for the Church’s reputation that led to the cover-up of related acts.

Investigators indicated that the actual number of child victims and priests involved is likely higher than the verified data suggests. Church records revealed that many accused priests were transferred to new posts without adequate investigation of the charges or reporting to law enforcement authorities. In the early 1950s, the parish established a “repair” scheme that allowed accused priests to undergo treatment, a practice that later evolved into referrals to formal treatment centers when sexual abuse was viewed as a mental health issue.

The report identified specific instances of institutional response, such as the case of Father Robert Carpentier, who was accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy in the 1970s and admitted to his actions. Following the accusation, Carpentier was sent to a treatment center and later to Boston College for rest. After his retirement in 2006, he received assistance from the parish until his death in 2012. These details illustrate the pattern of internal management rather than legal accountability for the accused clergy.

Further findings revealed that the issue extended beyond ordinary clerics to those in positions of oversight. The report mentioned Father Francis Santilli, who resigned from a commission responsible for dealing with complaints of sexual abuse following a complaint. However, despite new charges filed in 2014 and 2021, Santilli continued to work in the clergy until 2022. This continuity in roles despite ongoing allegations underscores the complexity of institutional accountability in the Church’s response to abuse.

Regarding legal outcomes, the report stated that only 20 of the named clerics, approximately a quarter, faced criminal charges. Of those, 14 were convicted, while an additional 12 were dismissed or otherwise dismissed by the Church. The Catholic Church acknowledged the seriousness of the problem of child sexual abuse by clerics but noted that the report was based mainly on internal records provided under a 2019 agreement with the state government, characterizing the cases as historical rather than new.

The findings reflect a profound breach of trust, where the duty to protect the vulnerable was subverted by institutional self-preservation. As Micah 6:8 calls for justice and humility, the revelation of these historical failures demands a sober reckoning with how power was exercised and how victims were neglected. The distinction between internal church discipline and criminal conviction highlights the ongoing need for transparency and legal accountability in matters of clergy misconduct.

The report serves as a record of past harms, emphasizing that the pursuit of truth must extend beyond internal church mechanisms to ensure that justice is served for those who suffered. By documenting the specific failures in reporting and the movement of accused priests, the investigation provides a factual basis for understanding the scope of the abuse and the institutional responses that allowed it to persist over decades.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)