News - Response to Abuse

April 30, 2023

Each year, Blue Sunday Abuse Prevention offers a day of prayer on the last Sunday of April. Learn more...

April 3, 2023

Every April, child and youth serving organizations, including Catholic Dioceses, participate in Child Abuse Prevention Month to highlight the importance of protecting minors. Learn more.

Independent auditing report affirms Diocese of Providence is in compliance with child and youth prot

November 25, 2022

“The Diocese has had and will continue to have strong policies and procedures in place to make sure that our kids are as safe as possible when participating in parish, school or diocesan activities,” said Kevin O’Brien, the director of the Office of Compliance for the Diocese of Providence.

Statement from the Diocese of Providence on Rev. Francis C. Santilli

February 3, 2022

Statement on Arrest of John Petrocelli

November 5, 2020

Statement from the Diocese of Providence on Arrest of John Petrocelli

Vatican releases guide on how leaders must handle abuse allegations

July 16, 2020

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a 17-page document offering a step-by-step guide for how bishops, religious superiors and canon lawyers are supposed to handle accusations of alleged abuse by clerics against minors.

03.23.2020 New Program to Report Sexual Misconduct Involving U.S. Bishops Launched

March 23, 2020

In May 2019, Pope Francis released his apostolic letter, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”) to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church.

Statement of Bishop Tobin on the Current Discussion Concerning Sexual Abuse of Minors and Abortion

February 13, 2020

Statement of Bishop Tobin on the Current Discussion Concerning Sexual Abuse of Minors and Abortion

Audit finds diocese in compliance with protection charter

October 24, 2019

The Diocese of Providence has been found compliant with all audited articles within the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for the 2018/2019 audit period.

Diocese of Providence Voluntarily Agrees to Review of Clergy Files

July 23, 2019

In continuing its commitment to provide safe environments for children and young people and strengthen its long-standing cooperation with civil authorities, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has voluntarily agreed to a review of clergy files by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General and the Rhode Island State Police.

EDITORIAL: Diocese takes another step toward safety, justice and healing for abuse victims

July 11, 2019

On Monday, July 1, the Diocese of Providence publicly released the names of clergy credibly accused...

Abortion, statute of limitations among key bills passed in 2019 legislative session

July 11, 2019

The recently-concluded 2019 legislative session in Rhode Island was a mixed bag for religiously-informed voters, notably in the passage...

Diocese of Providence releases list of clergy credibly accused of the sexual abuse of minors

July 11, 2019

At the direction of Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, the Diocese of Providence on July 1 published on its website...

07.01.19 @ 8:00am - Diocese to Release Names

June 30, 2019

Diocese to Release Names of Clergy Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of Minors Monday, July 1st at 8:00am on the Diocese of Providence Website, www.dioceseofprovidence.org.