Key Takeaways
- Father John Petrocelli was named by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office as one of four current or former Diocese of Providence priests criminally charged with child sexual abuse as a result of its clergy investigation.
- A statewide grand jury indicted Petrocelli in November 2020 on three counts of first-degree child molestation and nine counts of second-degree child molestation, involving three boys who were all under 14 at the time of the alleged assaults. He has pleaded not guilty, and his case is scheduled for trial in October 2026.
- Petrocelli has also been the subject of separate civil litigation: one claim against him was resolved as part of a $1.326 million Diocesan settlement in 2008, while a second lawsuit was dismissed by a trial judge in 2020 and upheld by the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 2023, which ruled that Diocesan leadership could not be held liable as “perpetrators” under the legal theory the plaintiff had argued.
Who Was Father John Petrocelli?
Father John N. Petrocelli was ordained in 1971 and served at parishes and hospitals across Rhode Island for over three decades before being removed from ministry in August 2002.
Petrocelli is one of four clergy members the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office criminally charged as a result of its investigation into the Diocese, alongside James Silva, Kevin Fisette, and the late Edward Kelley. He was also added to the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy on July 1, 2019.
Father John Petrocelli Assignment History
According to the Diocese of Providence’s own assignment record, Petrocelli served at:
- 1971–1976: St. Ann Church, Providence
- 1976–1981: Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul, Providence
- 1981–1990: Holy Family Church, Woonsocket
- 1990–1994: Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, North Providence
- 1994–2002: St. Joseph Hospital, Providence
- 2002: Removed from ministry
The Allegations Against Father John Petrocelli
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, the criminal indictment against Petrocelli alleges that he committed multiple acts of child molestation against three male victims, all under age 14 at the time, while he served as assistant pastor at Holy Family Parish in Woonsocket between November 6, 1981, and October 3, 1990.
A statewide grand jury indicted Petrocelli on November 2, 2020, on three counts of first-degree child molestation and nine counts of second-degree child molestation. He was arraigned in Providence County Superior Court, pleaded not guilty to all charges, and was released on bail. He was also issued no-contact orders barring contact with the alleged victims or any children under 16.
As of this writing, Petrocelli’s case remains pending and is scheduled for trial in October 2026.
Civil Claims Involving Petrocelli
Separately, Petrocelli was named in an earlier civil lawsuit accusing him of sexually abusing a boy in the late 1980s. A Rhode Island Superior Court judge denied the Diocese’s motion to dismiss negligence claims in that case in September 2007, and the Diocese ultimately settled it in August 2008 as part of a broader $1.326 million settlement covering multiple plaintiffs.
A second, separate lawsuit was filed against the Diocese by a different man who alleged Petrocelli abused him as a boy. In October 2020, a Superior Court judge dismissed that suit, ruling that Diocesan leadership, including the Bishop, could not be legally characterized as “perpetrators” under the plaintiff’s theory of liability. The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed that ruling in June 2023, a decision that has since limited the legal theories available to other survivors suing the Diocese directly over supervisory failures.
Civil Litigation Against Father John Petrocelli
Petrocelli was named in at least two civil lawsuits. The first was resolved as part of the Diocese’s $1.326 million settlement in August 2008. The second was dismissed by a Superior Court judge in October 2020 on the grounds that Diocesan leadership could not be held liable as “perpetrators,” a ruling the Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed in June 2023. Rhode Island’s expanded statute of limitations may still allow additional survivors to pursue civil claims against the Diocese of Providence.
Support for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse
If you or someone you love was sexually abused by Father John Petrocelli, Andreozzi + Foote is here to help.
Recent changes to Rhode Island law have 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 Petrocelli or another religious leader, we encourage you to contact us today to learn about your legal options.
Every consultation is free and completely confidential.
Image sources: Father John Petrocelli, via BishopAccountability.org. Holy Family Church, Woonsocket, © Google, Google Business Profile.
