Key Takeaways
- Father Roland M. Lepire is accused of sexually abusing at least six boys between 1975 and 1980, according to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report.
- The Attorney General’s Report states that Lepire continued serving in ministry after allegations of abuse were reported.
- Multiple civil lawsuits have been filed in relation to the allegations against Lepire, including a lawsuit filed in 2026 under Rhode Island’s child sexual abuse revival law.
Who Was Father Roland Lepire?
Father Roland M. Lepire was a priest of the Diocese of Providence.
Ordained in 1975, Lepire served at several Rhode Island parishes before being placed on administrative leave in 1996. In 2004, he was dismissed from the clerical state.
Holden was publicly identified on Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence and the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy. He died on February 26, 2025.
Assignment History
Lepire’s assignment history, according to the AG’s Report:
- 1974–1975: St. James Church, Manville
- 1975–1979: St. Aloysius Church, Woonsocket
- 1979: St. Mary Church, Cranston
- Summer 1980: “Sick Leave,” Brothers of Jesus Crucified, Providence
- 1980–1986: St. Matthew Church, Central Falls
- 1986–1991: St. Leo the Great Church, Pawtucket
- 1991–1996: St. Vincent de Paul Church, Coventry
- 1996–2004: Suspended on leave
- 2004: Dismissed from the clerical state
The Allegations Against Father Roland Lepire
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, “Father Roland Lepire is accused of sexually abusing at least six boys between the ages of 8 and 14 years old from 1975 to 1980, at parish assignments in Woonsocket, Cranston, and Central Falls. Lepire’s complainants reported that the priest touched their genitals while wrestling and tickling them, and one said that Father Lepire forced oral sex on him.” (Appendix A)
According to the Report, diocesan officials were made aware of allegations involving Father Roland M. Lepire years before he was removed from ministry.
In 1979, the mother of an 8-year-old boy reported allegations to the Woonsocket Police Department. The mother recalled being told by a detective that Bishop Louis Gelineau had offered to remove Lepire from the parish and send him to counseling if she refrained from pursuing criminal charges. Lepire was subsequently transferred to another parish.
According to the Report, Lepire later stated that he informed Bishop Gelineau in 1980 that he had molested four boys while assigned to St. Mary Church in Cranston. He was briefly assigned as a chaplain before returning to parish ministry at St. Matthew Church in Central Falls, where he allegedly molested two more boys.
Administrative Leave and Dismissal
In 1996, after a former altar boy filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Lepire had sexually abused him when he was a child, Lepire was placed on administrative leave.
He was directed to undergo psychiatric assessment and “traveled to the Anodos Center at St. John Vianney Hospital in Downingtown, Pennsylvania—a facility used by the Catholic Church to evaluate priests accused of child sexual abuse…the Anodos Center records include admissions of abuse by Lepire and include references to the Bishop’s awareness of, and response to, Lepire’s alleged abuse.”
Lepire was dismissed from the clerical state in 2004. According to the Attorney General’s Report, he admitted to additional incidents of abuse during the canonical process.
Readers seeking additional information regarding Father Roland Lepire should review Appendix A of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence and the sources compiled by BishopAccountability.
Civil Lawsuits Against Father Roland Lepire
Father Roland M. Lepire has been the subject of multiple civil lawsuits alleging childhood sexual abuse, including two that were settled as part of mass clergy abuse settlements.
In July 2026, a lawsuit alleged that Lepire sexually abused a boy while assigned to St. Matthew Church in Central Falls during the 1980s. The lawsuit was filed under Rhode Island’s new child sexual abuse revival law.
Why Accountability Within the Catholic Church Still Matters
History has shown that individuals who sexually abuse children frequently continue their abusive behavior.
When allegations are minimized, concealed, or inadequately investigated, additional children may remain at risk. In many cases, survivors, parents, or members of the community voiced concerns, only to be dismissed.
For these reasons, accountability remains important today. Examining how allegations were (and are) handled by church leaders can help uncover institutional failures, provide answers to survivors, and drive reforms designed to better protect children in the future.
If You Were Harmed by Father Roland Lepire
Although Father Roland M. Lepire died in 2025, survivors may still have legal options against the institutions responsible for overseeing his ministry.
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 Father Lepire, or another clergy member, we encourage you to contact us today to learn about your legal options.
Every consultation is free and completely confidential.
