Rhode Island clergy abuse report reveals decades of cover‑ups and hundreds of victims

A Rhode Island attorney general investigation found 75 Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Providence molested more than 300 children since 1950, with church leaders prioritizing the institution’s reputation over victims by transferring accused priests and offering treatment or sabbaticals rather than reporting to authorities. Only a fraction faced criminal charges, and many records were kept private for years under a 2019 agreement, prompting calls for reforms to strengthen investigations and ensure accountability and justice for survivors.