Key Takeaways
- Father Robert Carpentier admitted to sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy while serving as a priest in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
- A suit involving Carpentier resolved in 2002 as part of the Diocese of Providence’s $13.5 million settlement involving 36 survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
- A second complainant reported abuse by Carpentier in 2020, years after his death.
Father Robert Carpentier was a Diocese of Providence priest who served in several Rhode Island parishes in the 1960s through 1990s.
In 1992, Carpentier admitted to sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy while serving in Woonsocket. A civil lawsuit followed and was later included in the Diocese of Providence’s landmark 2002 settlement involving multiple survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Carpentier is included on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report.
Who Was Father Robert Carpentier?
Born on February 12, 1941, Robert Carpentier was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Providence on June 3, 1967.
During his ministry, Carpentier served in multiple Rhode Island parishes.
In 1992, after allegations of child sexual abuse were reported to diocesan officials, Carpentier agreed to resign from his parish. He took a “medical leave of absence” and then a sabbatical at Boston College. He remained on leave until retiring in 2006 and died on May 9, 2012.
Father Robert Carpentier’s Assignments
Father Robert Carpentier served in the following assignments:
- St. Clare Church, Misquamicut (Summer 1967)
- Precious Blood Church, Woonsocket (1967–1969)
- St. Agatha Church, Woonsocket (1969–1973)
- Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Woonsocket (1973–1976)
- St. Mary Church, Newport (Summer 1976)
- Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, North Providence (1976–1982)
- St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, Nasonville (1982–1992)
- St. John the Evangelist Church, North Slatersville (1992)
- Medical Leave of Absence, Institute of Living, Hartford, Connecticut (April–May 1992)
- Sabbatical, Boston College (1992–1994)
- Leave of Absence (1994–2006)
- Retired (2006)
The Allegations Against Carpentier and His Confession
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report, diocesan officials first learned of allegations against Father Robert Carpentier in April 1992, when “a family member of Complainant A met with Auxiliary Bishop Angell and reported that Complainant A had recently disclosed to them that he had been abused by Carpentier as a 13-year-old boy between 1973 and 1974, while Carpentier was a pastor at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church. Carpentier was close with Complainant A’s family, who were parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. Carpentier used his position of trust with the family to groom Complainant A, leading to fondling, masturbation, and oral sex. The sexual abuse continued for over a year and included out-of-state trips with Complainant A.” (Appendix A)
Following the report, diocesean officials met with Carpentier. According to handwritten notes cited in the Attorney General’s Report, Carpentier admitted “‘that indeed he had sexually molested [Complainant A] when the latter was 13 years old.’”
The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report states that “Carpentier also agreed in the meeting to resign from his parish and to be evaluated at the Institute of the Living Center in Hartford, Connecticut. There is no record that the Diocese reported the sexual abuse to law enforcement.”
After meeting with diocesan officials, Carpentier drafted a letter informing parishioners that he was taking a “‘medical leave of absence’” due to “‘mental tiredness and anxieties.’” He remained at the Institute of Living until May 1992. According to notes cited in the report, evaluators found “‘no problem… that needs attention’” and concluded that Carpentier was “‘not a pedophile!’” Despite this assessment, Carpentier remained on leave from ministry and later attended a Diocese-funded sabbatical at Boston College.
Civil Litigation
In October 1992, Complainant A filed a civil lawsuit against Carpentier and the Diocese of Providence. According to the AG’s Report, “His complaint alleged that Carpentier ‘frequently and regularly exploited the powers of his position to perform lewd and lascivious, homosexual acts’ with the victim, all ‘undertaken in the course and within the scope of his employment as a priest.’”
While the litigation remained pending, “The Diocese continued to support Carpentier financially and personally.” Internal diocesan records also indicate officials sought to “buy time” until the court case was resolved.
In July 2002, a Rhode Island Superior Court judge ordered the Diocese to turn over internal records relating to priests accused of sexual abuse. Rather than continue litigating the matter, the “Diocese promptly settled the cases against Carpentier and others two months later for $13.5 million.”
A second complainant (“Complainant B”) came forward through an attorney in April 2020, allegeding that Carpentier sexually abused him as a child, while Carpentier was a priest at St. Agatha Church.
The Diocese forwarded the allegation to Rhode Island State Police in June 2020. The investigation was later closed after Complainant B declined to provide a statement.
According to the AG’s Report, “Father Carpentier remained on a leave of absence until he retired in 2006. He died on May 9, 2012. Carpentier is included on the Diocese’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy.”
For additional details regarding the case of Father Robert Carpentier, please see Appendix A of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Report and the list of sources from Bishop Accountability.
Were You Abused by Father Robert Carpentier? You May Still Have Options.
Even though Father Robert Carpentier is deceased, survivors may still have civil legal options against the institutions that employed him, supervised his ministry, or failed to protect children from 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 Father Robert Carpentier or another 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.
