Key Takeaways
- According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, Father Edmund Fitzgerald allegedly sexually abused at least eight children between the late 1950s and early 1980s.
- Multiple allegations against Fitzgerald were reported to the Diocese over the years starting in 1993, yet Fitzgerald’s facilities were not suspended until 2002.
- Rhode Island’s child sexual abuse revival window may allow survivors to pursue civil claims against institutions that employed, supervised, or retained clergy members accused of abuse.
Who Was Father Edmund Fitzgerald?
Born on December 5, 1929, Fitzgerald was ordained on May 25, 1957. Father Edmund H. Fitzgerald was a priest of the Diocese of Providence who served in Rhode Island for over forty years. He reportedly sexually abused at least eight minors during this time, yet he was never criminally prosecuted due to the statute of limitations.
He died on August 7, 2020. Charland is included on both the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report and the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy.
Known Assignments
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report, Fitzgerald’s assignments included:
- St. Thomas Church, Providence (1957)
- St. Teresa Church, Pawtucket (1957–1969)
- St. Joseph Church, Ashton (1969–1971)
- St. Mary Church, Newport (1971–1976)
- St. Agnes Church, Providence (1976–1979)
- Our Lady of Providence Preparatory Seminary High School, Providence (1979–1980)
- St. John Church, Providence (1980)
- SS. Peter and Paul Church, Warwick (1980–1981)
- St. Mary of the Bay Church, Warren (1981–1984)
- St. Mary Church, West Warwick (1984–1992)
- St. Clare Church, Westerly (1992-1998)
- Jesus Savior Church, Newport (1998)
- Eleanor Slater Hospital, Cranston (1998)
- St. Mark Church, Cranston (1998)
- Retired (December 1998)
- Faculties reinstated (February 1999)
- Part-time ministry at various parishes (1999-2002)
- Faculties suspended indefinitely (Jun. 2002)
Allegations Against Father Edmund Fitzgerald
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence, Father Edmund Fitzgerald allegedly sexually abused at least eight children (both boys and girls) between the late 1950s and early 1980s while serving in several Rhode Island parishes.
The report raises significant questions about how the Diocese responded to allegations against Fitzgerald.
In 1993, a woman reported that Fitzgerald sexually abused her when she was around 12 years old while working in the rectory of St. Mary of the Bay Church in Warren. According to the Attorney General’s Report, diocesan investigator Robert McCarthy interviewed the complainant multiple times and she consistently identified Fitzgerald as the perpetrator.
“Nevertheless, McCarthy asked the complainant to submit to a polygraph examination. McCarthy also directed Fitzgerald to submit to a polygraph. Ultimately, the polygrapher opined that the complainant was lying and Fitzgerald was telling the truth. On that basis, the matter was closed, the complaint was never forwarded to law enforcement, and Fitzgerald remained an active-duty priest in the Diocese.” (Appendix A)
By 1998, two additional individuals had come forward alleging that Fitzgerald sexually abused them as children. Following those reports, the Diocese temporarily suspended Fitzgerald’s faculties and placed him on leave. Fitzgerald later retired, citing his health. According to the Report, diocesan investigator Robert McCarthy concluded that the second and third allegations were unfounded. After Fitzgerald underwent a psychological evaluation that described him as presenting a “relatively low risk for further sexual misconduct,” the Diocese reinstated his faculties and allowed him to return to ministry.
By June 2002, two more individuals had reported child sexual abuse allegations against Fitzgerald.
“In the face of five sets of allegations against Fitzgerald, and despite his prior conclusions that the first three were unfounded, Director McCarthy now opined that Fitzgerald ‘need[ed] to be confronted again and also offered a polygraph examination.’ The Diocese suspended Fitzgerald’s faculties in late June 2002, for a second and final time; yet it took no further steps to remove Fitzgerald from the priesthood. Three additional complainants came forward before Fitzgerald’s death in August 2020.” (Appendix A)
Fitzgerald: Credibly Accused
Fitzgerald was included on the Diocese of Providence’s 2019 List of Credibly Accused Clergy, although they misleadingly stated that he was removed from ministry in 1998, failing to mention that this was just a temporary suspension and that he was reinstated six months later.
Readers seeking additional information regarding the allegations against Father Fitzgerald and the Diocese’s response should review Bishop Accountability and Appendix A of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report.
Why Accountability Within the Catholic Church Still Matters
History has shown that sexual abusers frequently reoffend.
When allegations of abuse are dismissed, minimized, concealed, or inadequately investigated, others may remain at risk.
In many cases, victims, parents, or others in the community voiced concerns only to be reassured that there was nothing to worry about. History has shown that these assurances were often false.
Survivors were sometimes told they were lying, compounding the trauma of the abuse with the additional harm of not being believed.
For these reasons, accountability remains important today. Examining how allegations are handled by church leaders can help uncover institutional failures, provide answers to survivors, and encourage reforms designed to better protect children in the future.
Andreozzi and Foote Represents Survivors of the Catholic Church
Individuals who were abused by Father Edmund Fitzgerald or other members of the clergy may have legal rights.
Survivors whose claims were previously barred by the statute of limitations in Rhode Island may have a renewed opportunity to pursue accountability against the institutions that employed, supervised, or retained abusive clergy members.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we focus exclusively on representing survivors of sexual abuse in civil cases against institutions like the Catholic Church.
If you or a loved one were abused by Fr. Fitzgerald or another clergy member, our trauma-informed attorneys are here to help you pursue your civil legal options and fight for justice.
Contact us today.
📞 (866) 311-8640
📧 info@vca.law
Image sources: Fr. Edmund H. Fitzgerald, courtesy of Bishop Accountability. St. Mary of the Bay, © Google, Google Maps.
