Key Takeaways
- Father Paul Henry Leech was suspended from ministry in 1984 after admitting to sexually abusing four boys. He later pleaded nolo contendere to eight felony counts and was sentenced to prison.
- According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, at least two additional survivors later came forward with allegations of abuse.
- Rhode Island’s childhood sexual abuse revival window allows survivors to pursue civil claims against institutions that employed, supervised, or retained abusive clergy members.
Who Was Father Paul Henry Leech?
Father Paul Henry Leech was a priest of the Diocese of Providence who was given prison time for sexually abusing multiple children.
Leech was born on March 10, 1950.
Before entering parish ministry, Leech was an Assistant Chaplain at Yawgoog Scout Reservation and Hoffman Scout Reservation, which was the Girl Scout Council’s summer camp. He was ordained on September 26, 1980. His priesthood lasted only four years before he was suspended from ministry on July 9, 1984, following allegations that he had sexually abused multiple children.
Leech has never been laicized. He is included on both the 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.
Assignment History
- 1979–1980: St. Philip Church, Greenville
- 1980–1983: St. Joseph Church, Woonsocket
- 1983–1984: St. Jude Church, Lincoln
- July 9, 1984: Suspended
The Criminal Case Against Father Paul Henry Leech
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, Father Paul Henry Leech reportedly admitted in early 1984 to the parents of four boys that he had sexually abused their children. The allegations were reported by the Rhode Island Department of Children and Families to the Rhode Island State Police, leading to a criminal investigation.
The Report states that Leech sexually abused four boys between approximately 1979 and 1984, and the victims ranged in age from 10 to 16 years old. The abuse reportedly occurred at family homes and at the rectories of St. Joseph Church in Woonsocket and St. Jude Church in Lincoln. Several survivors reported repeated abuse. One survivor reported being abused approximately 30 times.
One survivor reported that Leech paid visits to his family following the death of the boy’s father, and “that Father Leech would talk to the complainant about his recently deceased father while molesting him.”
In July 1984, Leech was criminally charged.
“In August 1985, just before his trial was scheduled to begin, Father Leech pled nolo contendere to eight felony counts including second-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault, abominable and detestable crimes against nature, and simple assault. He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, with three years to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions (‘ACІ’) and the balance suspended with probation.”
He was originally sentenced to 86 years in prison, but after a plea for leniency, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with three years to serve and the remaining sentence suspended with probation.
Additional Allegations
The Attorney General’s Report also documents two additional survivors who came forward after Leech’s conviction. One allegation was reported in 2014 and another was reported through counsel in 2020. Neither case resulted in criminal prosecution because the applicable statute of limitations had expired.
Readers seeking additional information regarding Father Paul Henry Leech 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.
Diocese of Providence’s Response
The Report found that the Diocese continued to financially support Leech following his arrest and conviction, including paying for his treatment, legal expenses, and his education. Although diocesan officials stated following his conviction that Leech would no longer function as a priest in the Diocese of Providence, he was never formally laicized.
At least one civil lawsuit was filed in connection with abuse by Leech in 1994, and another one may have been filed in 1985, according to Bishop Accountability.
Were You Harmed by Father Paul Henry Leech?
Although Father Paul Henry Leech was reportedly removed from active ministry decades ago, 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 Paul Henry Leech 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
Image sources: Fr. Paul Henry Leech, via Bishop Accountability. St. Jude Catholic Church, © Google, Google Maps.
