Rhode Island AG urges reforms after clergy sex abuse report

Lawmaker pushes for legislation to hold Diocese of Providence accountable

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would hold the Diocese of Providence civilly liable for the actions of 72 credibly accused priests revealed in a sweeping clergy sex abuse report. The legislation, introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, would establish retroactive civil liability for negligent supervision or concealment of child sexual abuse by clergy members.

Why it matters

The report has sparked outrage over the Diocese of Providence's long history of covering up clergy sex abuse and protecting predatory priests. Advocates are pushing for reforms to ensure accountability and justice for survivors, while the diocese has argued the report is intended to sway legislative debate.

The details

Hagan McEntee's proposal would establish civil liability for institutions that negligently supervised or concealed child sexual abuse, with a two-year revival window for lawsuits starting in 2026. Neronha unveiled a 370-page report this week detailing the abuse, standing alongside survivors like Hagan McEntee's sister Dr. Ann Hagan Webb. The diocese acknowledged past misconduct but argued the report aims to discredit opposition to the legislation.

  • The 370-page report was released on March 5, 2026.
  • Hagan McEntee's legislation would establish a two-year revival window for lawsuits starting on July 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2028.

The players

Peter Neronha

The Rhode Island Attorney General who released the sweeping clergy sex abuse report.

Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee

The chairwoman of the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee who introduced legislation to hold the Diocese of Providence accountable.

Dr. Ann Hagan Webb

A clergy sex abuse survivor and the sister of Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee.

Bishop Bruce Lewandowski

The bishop of the Diocese of Providence who acknowledged the diocese's past misconduct in a message to parishioners.

Tim Conlon

An attorney who has represented a number of clergy sex abuse survivors.

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What they’re saying

“Sexual abusers of children, and those who protect these disgusting predators, should not be able to hide behind statutes of limitations or other time delaying tactics to avoid liability for these perverse and evil crimes.”

— Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, Chairwoman, Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee

“This report should make Rhode Island Catholics and non-Catholics alike gasp in horror at the organized culture of cover-up. It is time for the diocese to feel ashamed.”

— Dr. Ann Hagan Webb, Clergy sex abuse survivor

“The report and the timing of its release is intended to sway legislative debate. [The report's] intent is to bolster proposed and previously-rejected legislation that seeks to suspend long-standing statute of limitations laws for civil suits.”

— Diocese of Providence

“The diocese would have you believe that this report is historical; that child sexual abuse by clergy members is a thing of the past and not worth drudging up. To that I say: the pain that survivors and their families suffer knows no statute of limitations, and history always has something to teach us.”

— Peter Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General

“I'm much more concerned about the welfare of the victims than the welfare of the diocese.”

— Tim Conlon, Attorney (WPRI 12 News)

What’s next

Hagan McEntee's four proposals, including the legislation to hold the Diocese of Providence accountable, will be considered by the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee on March 12, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle for accountability and justice for survivors of clergy sex abuse, as lawmakers push for reforms to address the Diocese of Providence's long history of covering up abuse and protecting predatory priests. The release of the damning report has reignited calls for the diocese to be held civilly liable and for an independent compensation program to be established for survivors.