Key Takeaways
- In 2010, Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse was accused of sexually assaulting a child between 1968 and 1970 while serving at an Oblate retreat center in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
- The Diocese of Providence had previously received multiple complaints alleging that Lacasse engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with adult women; after two complaints, his faculties were revoked in 1997.
- Lacasse was released from his religious vows in 2012 and died in 2018.
- Rhode Island’s childhood sexual abuse revival window allows survivors to pursue civil claims against institutions that employed, supervised, or retained clergy members accused of abuse.
Who Was Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse?
Father Joseph Gerard Raymond (“Ray”) Lacasse was a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Born on December 26, 1932, Lacasse was ordained on September 15, 1958. He served as a missionary in the Philippines from 1959 to 1973 before returning to Rhode Island, where he worked at Epheta Retreat House in Cumberland.
In 1976, he reportedly founded the Catch the New Wind Youth Ministries program.
The Diocese of Providence revoked his faculties in 1997, and he was released from his religious vows in 2012. He died on October 7, 2018.
The allegations against Lacasse are detailed in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence. He is not included on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy.
Assignment History
- 1959–1973: Oblate missions, Philippines
- 1973–1981: Epheta Retreat House, Cumberland, Rhode Island
- 1981: Immaculata Retreat House, Willimantic, Connecticut
- January – October 1997: Treatment, Saint John Vianney Center, Pennsylvania
- 1997: Oblate Foreign Missions House, Lowell, Massachusetts
- 2012: Released from religious vows
Allegations Against Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse
According to the Rhode Island AG’s 2026 Report, in 2010, the Diocese received a letter from a complainant alleging that Lacasse had sexually assaulted her between 1968 and 1970.
“The complainant said that she was there to participate in a ‘teen program,’ and that Father Lacasse allegedly entered her bedroom at night, locked the door, laid on top of her, pinned her to the bed, and forcibly kissed her on the mouth. Based on the complainant’s date of birth, the complainant would have been between the ages of 8 and 11 years old when this incident occurred.” (Appendix A)
According to the Report, the Diocese had received multiple complaints involving Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse before the 2010 allegation involving a child.
Two women reported inappropriate sexual contact in 1996, and during the Diocese’s investigation, Lacasse admitted to sexual contact with both women but claimed it was consensual. Although one complainant was reportedly considered “very truthful and honest,” the Diocese did not revoke Lacasse’s faculties until 1997, after one woman threatened to make her allegations public. He was then reportedly sent to Saint John Vianney Center in Pennsylvania for treatment before being released on October 31, 1997.
“Soon thereafter, he began working for his religious order in Lowell, Massachusetts and was reportedly assigned strictly to administrative duties.”
In 2004, the Diocese received a third complaint from an adult woman alleging Lacasse sexually assaulted her during a retreat at Epheta House 25 years earlier.
According to the Attorney General’s Report, there is no record that the Diocese notified law enforcement regarding any of the complaints involving adult women. Law enforcement were contacted only after the Diocese received the 2010 allegation that Lacasse had previously sexually assaulted a child.
The Report also mentions a fifth complaint, but does not provide further details regarding that allegation.
Father Lacasse Released From Vows
“In 2012, Father Lacasse was released from his vows upon his request. However, he was granted permission to continue to live with the Oblates, which he reportedly did until his death in 2018. Father Lacasse is not included on the Diocese’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy or any other lists of credibly accused clergy.” (Appendix A)
Readers seeking additional information regarding Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse 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.
Were You Harmed by Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse?
Although Father Lacasse died in 2018, survivors may still have civil legal options against the religious 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 Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse or another member of the clergy, 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
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