Key Takeaways
- According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, Monsignor Michael W. Dziob was accused of sexually abusing a student at St. Leo the Great School in Pawtucket during the early 1990s.
- The complainant alleged that the abuse occurred more than 100 times between his fourth- and fifth-grade years.
- Rhode Island’s childhood sexual abuse revival window is important for survivors, as they may need years before feeling ready to come forward ito report abuse.
Who Was Monsignor Michael W. Dziob?
Monsignor Michael W. Dziob was a priest of the Diocese of Providence who served in Rhode Island for more than five decades.
Born on December 9, 1917, Dziob was ordained on May 30, 1942. He spent approximately twenty years as pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in Pawtucket before retiring in June 1993 and being named Pastor Emeritus.
“After his retirement, Msgr. Dziob took up residence at St. John Vianney Residence in Providence and continued to help out in various parishes.” (Kubaska Funeral Home)
Dziob died on November 27, 2012. He was publicly identified in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence, but has not been included on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy.
Monsignor Michael W. Dziob Assignment History
Monsignor Michael W. Dziob’s assignments included:
- St. Joseph Church, Central Falls (Jun. – Oct. 1942)
- Catholic University, Washington, D.C. (1942–1944)
- St. Joseph Church, Central Falls (1944–1945)
- Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul, Providence (1945–1946)
- St. Joseph Church, Central Falls (1946–1947)
- St. Hedwig Church, Providence (1947–1948)
- Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, North Providence (1948–1973)
- St. Leo the Great Church, Pawtucket (1973–1993)
- Retired, Pastor Emeritus, St. Leo the Great Church, Pawtucket (1993)
Allegations Against Monsignor Michael W. Dziob
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, “In June 2020, a 38-year-old man contacted the Diocese through his attorney to report that he was sexually abused by Monsignor Michael Dziob at St. Leo the Great School, in Pawtucket, in the early 1990s, when [he] was approximately nine years old.”
The complainant reported that he was born with a disability, used crutches as a child, and his “mother had also recently passed away, so he was in constant disciplinary trouble and was frequently sent to Dziob’s office in the parish rectory.”
The complainant alleged that the abuse began during one of these visits to Dziob’s office, progressively worsened, and happened more than 100 times between his fourth-grade year and the end of his fifth-grade year, when Dziob retired in 1993.
According to the Attorney General’s Report, the complainant stated that he never disclosed the abuse to his father because Dziob allegedly told him, “‘you don’t want me to tell your father that you misbehaved.’”
The man “said he believed that Monsignor Dziob had targeted him due to his disability and struggles with his mother’s passing, and explained that the alleged abuse resulted in his loss of faith and a lifetime of relationship problems and substance abuse.”
For detailed information on the allegations against Monsignor Michael W. Dziob and the Diocese’s response, readers may review Appendix A of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence.
Rights for Survivors of Clergy Sex Abuse
Even though Dziob is deceased, survivors may still have civil legal options against any institutions that supervised his ministry.
Rhode Island’s childhood 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 Monsignor Michael W. Dziob or another clergy member, 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: Photos of Msgr. Michael W. Dziob, courtesy of Bishop Accountability, via Rhode Island Catholic and Kubaska Funeral Home.
