Key Takeaways
- Brother Raphael Edes was accused of sexually abusing students in both Rhode Island and New York, including allegations at St. Raphael Academy and LaSalle Military Academy.
- Edes has been named in at least two civil lawsuits involving allegations of sexual abuse.
- Rhode Island’s childhood sexual abuse revival window may provide legal options for survivors seeking accountability from institutions that enabled abuse.
Who Was Brother Raphael Edes?
Brother Raphael Edes is a former member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, commonly known as the Christian Brothers, a religious order which he entered in 1957.
He taught at LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, New York, before being assigned to St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he served from 1978 to 1994.
Following allegations of sexual abuse, Edes reportedly underwent psychological treatment in New Mexico and left the Christian Brothers in 1995. He was publicly identified in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence. Despite multiple allegations of sexual abuse, civil lawsuits, and admissions regarding sexual conduct with students, he has not been included on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy. He is retired.
Summary of Allegations Against Brother Raphael Edes
Brother Raphael Edes was publicly identified in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report as the subject of multiple allegations of sexual abuse involving former students.
According to the Report, the Diocese of Providence received a complaint in 1994 alleging that Edes sexually abused a St. Raphael Academy student between 1986 and 1990. The student attended the school on a scholarship and alleged that Edes told him, “‘this has to stay between us’ and warned him that he would lose his scholarship if anyone found out. [The complainant] stated that the alleged abuse stopped when he graduated. [He] stated that he did not disclose the alleged abuse to anyone at St. Raphael Academy at the time because he was concerned that if he told anyone, his scholarship would be revoked, and he did not want to disappoint his parents.” (Appendix A, AG’s Report)
The alleged abuse reportedly continued until the student graduated. Following the allegation, Edes reportedly underwent psychological treatment in New Mexico and left the Christian Brothers in 1995.
Around 2000, the former student filed a civil lawsuit that reportedly settled.
In 2018, another former St. Raphael Academy student alleged that Edes sexually assaulted him when he was a senior in 1986. The complainant stated that he later reported the incident to a teacher at the school after he graduated.
According to the Attorney General’s Report, in 2018, the Christian Brothers informed the Diocese that they had two additional allegations against Edes on file, including one that the Diocese was already aware of.
In 2020, Edes was named in a lawsuit filed under New York’s Child Victims Act, alleging that he sexually abused a minor between 1965 and 1967 while assigned to LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, New York.
In a 2025 interview with Rhode Island State Police, Edes admitted to sexual contact with the scholarship student, though he claimed it was consensual. He also acknowledged possible sexual activity with another St. Raphael Academy student and admitted to engaging in oral sexual intercourse with a male student at La Salle in New York. According to the Report, “Edes expressed regret and stated that he is ‘not angry’ but ‘upset’ by what he did.”
For additional information on the allegations against Edes and the Diocese’s response, readers may review Appendix A of Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence
Were You Harmed by Brother Raphael Edes?
Survivors may have civil legal options against any institutions that supervised the ministry of Brother Edes.
Rhode Island’s child sexual abuse revival window has created an opportunity for survivors to pursue civil claims that may have previously been barred by the statute of limitations.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of clergy sexual abuse across the nation. Our team takes a trauma-informed approach to every case, ensuring survivors are heard, supported, and empowered throughout the legal process.
If you were abused by Brother Raphael Edes or another clergy member, we encourage you to contact us today to learn about your legal options.
Every consultation is free and completely confidential.
📞 (866) 311-8640
📧 info@vca.law
Image sources: Saint Raphael Academy, via st.rays.org.
