Rhode Island AG to Unveil Report on Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha will release findings from a multiyear investigation into child sexual abuse within the Diocese of Providence. The report, set for release on Wednesday, will detail the diocese’s handling of clergy abuse over several decades. This inquiry, initiated in 2019, follows broader national attention to clergy abuse cases, including a 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report that uncovered over 1,000 children abused by approximately 300 priests since the 1940s.

The investigation involved an agreement between Neronha’s office and the Diocese of Providence to access all complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy dating back to 1950. The goal of the report was to assess the diocese’s response to past abuse reports, identify any prosecutable cases, and ensure that credibly accused clergy were not in active ministry.

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S., has the country’s largest Catholic population per capita, with nearly 40% of residents identifying as Catholic, according to Pew Research Center. This demographic context underscores the significance of the investigation within the state’s religious landscape.

Neronha’s office emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing historical abuse cases. The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the diocese’s actions and inactions regarding clergy abuse, aligning with the call for justice and accountability found in Proverbs 31:8-9, which urges speaking up for the oppressed and defending the rights of the vulnerable.

The findings will be released as part of ongoing efforts to ensure that victims are heard and that institutional failures are acknowledged. The report reflects a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and mercy, as highlighted in Micah 6:8, which calls for doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.

Source: Read the original report