PROVIDENCE – R.I. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence to gain access to files from the Diocese of Providence related to an ongoing review of child sexual abuse allegations against clergy at the diocese, the R.I. Attorney General’s office announced Tuesday. The MOU expands on a previous agreement in 2016 that allowed access to historical records.
The diocese will begin providing the documents to the Attorney General’s office and the R.I. State Police within five days for review on a rolling basis, Neronha’s office said.
The new agreement provides access to all complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy on record – dating back to the 1950s. The files will include information about the 50 clergy recently credibly and publicly accused clergy, as well as others. The agreement extends access to files related to child sexual abuse that are maintained by the Diocese Office of Compliance.
“While this voluntary, additional disclosure by the diocese is an important step forward in our review,” Attorney General Neronha stated, “much additional work remains. We will not hesitate to take any additional steps that may prove necessary to fully determine the scope of misconduct here and take appropriate action.”
The review, conducted by Neronha’s office and the state police, is intended to identify any prosecutable cases, to ensure no credibly accused clergy remain active in the ministry and to provide input to improve the diocese’s practices to prevent and respond to allegations of sexual abuse of children.
As a part of the process of the investigation, the entities will examine how the diocese responded previously to such allegations.
“It is my intention to be as transparent as possible regarding our findings, within the limits of current Rhode Island law,” Neronha said. “I am grateful to [State Police] Colonel [James M.] Manni for his commitment to partnering with the office to undertake and complete this review.”
