Key Takeaways
- Brother Vincent Cavanaugh was accused of sexually abusing two brothers while working at La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island.
- According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, the allegations were reported to diocesan officials in 2004.
- Brother Cavanaugh died in 1966 and is not included on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy.
Who Was Brother Vincent Cavanaugh?
Born on December 4, 1888, “Brother Vincent Cavanaugh was a member of the Congregation of the Christian Brothers (‘Christian Brothers’) religious order who was employed by LaSalle Academy, a Catholic school located in Providence, Rhode Island, during the 1950s.” The allegations against him are documented in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report. He is not listed on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy
His assignment history is otherwise unknown. Brother Cavanaugh died in 1966.
Allegations and Public Record
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report, a former student contacted the Diocese’s Office of Education and Compliance in October 2004 to report that Brother Vincent Cavanaugh had sexually abused him during the summer of 1956 when he was a 13-year-old student at LaSalle Academy.
“The complainant alleged that the assaults took place in the summer of 1956 in Lincoln Woods Park and at a private home on the waterfront in Rhode Island, and that the abuse consisted of ‘mainly touching.’ The complainant further reported that Brother Cavanaugh also abused his younger brother when he was 11 years old.” (Appendix A)
According to the Report, the boys’ mother had sought scholarship assistance from La Salle Academy because the family was struggling financially. Through that process, she was introduced to Brother Cavanaugh.
The complainant reported that Cavanaugh repeatedly took the brothers swimming during the summer of 1956. During those outings, Cavanaugh allegedly applied sunscreen to the boys’ bodies and reached into their shorts to touch their genitals. This occurred multliple times.
The complainant later disclosed in a letter that Cavanaugh also had the boys apply suntan lotion to his own body and reach into his shorts to touch his genitals.
The complainant reported the allegations to a former president of La Salle Academy in 2004. According to the report, he was informed at that time that Brother Cavanaugh had already died.
Brother Cavanaugh is listed in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report but is not included on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy.
For additional information regarding this matter, please see Appendix A of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report.
Understanding Clergy Sexual Abuse Allegations
Clergy sexual abuse often involves perpetrators who occupied positions of trust, authority, and influence within their communities. In many cases, survivors report that the alleged abuse occurred after a clergy member developed a close relationship with the victim or the victim’s family, a process often referred to as grooming.
Many survivors do not disclose abuse until years or even decades later. Delayed disclosure is common and may be influenced by fear, shame, trauma, concerns about not being believed, or the authority and influence held by religious leaders.
When allegations of clergy sexual abuse emerge, survivors and their families may begin to ask questions, such as how religious leaders responded to reports of misconduct, whether appropriate safeguards were in place, and whether additional steps could have been taken to protect children.
Survivors of Clergy Sex Abuse
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island and nationwide. 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 a member of the clergy, we encourage you to speak with an attorney about your rights and potential legal options.
Every consultation is free and completely confidential.
We encourage you to contact us today.
📞 (866) 311-8640
📧 info@vca.law
Image source: LaSalle Academy, © Google, Google Maps.
