The following is an open letter to the Diocese of Providence from DarrowEverett partner Tim Conlon, shared on the eve of the reopening of Rhode Island’s statutory window for filing clergy sex abuse claims that were previously barred by the statute of limitations. The window will remain open for two years starting on July 1, 2026. You can read more about the legislation here, as well as learn how survivors can get help, courtesy of information compiled by Dr. Ann Hagan Webb, a past survivor of Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse and after whom the legislation has been named (it has been commonly referred to as “Annie’s Law”).
I have yet to meet Bishop Bruce Lewandowski. The last Bishop I spoke with directly was Bishop Robert Mulvee in 2002. It took 10 years of litigation to get Bishop Mulvee and I together, but when we jointly announced settlement of the then-outstanding claims, it was a tremendous step forward for the Diocese of Providence and for victims.
Many of those brave survivors were present at that announcement and met privately with Bishop Mulvee that day. We collectively shared a cordial cup of coffee. I still hear from those who were moved by the reconciliation that day.
Over 20 years have passed, but the milestone accomplished in 2002 wasn’t the end of the journey for many of the children who grew up in our state.
As Attorney General Peter Neronha’s report made clear, there were so many victims that were hidden, and the then-existing law had been interpreted to block their claims.
His report tells so many tales; in many instances tales of people I know well. The Attorney General’s report spurred long overdue action to create a path to justice for survivors. So as of July 1, suits will doubtless be filed. And we are already hearing tales of catastrophe from the Diocese:
• about floodgates opening
• about out-of-state lawyers, and overwhelmed courthouses
• about bankruptcyWe have detected moves by the Diocese toward that bankruptcy path.
I want to speak to a tale of two cities in the jurisdiction of Maryland, both of which experienced a change in the law nearly identical to the change in ours, resulting in filings of otherwise barred cases. Two Dioceses took very different paths in response.
On April 11, 2023, Maryland amended its statute of limitations with its Child Victims Act. Months later, on September 29, 2023, the Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for bankruptcy.
Nearly three years later, Baltimore remains mired in Bankruptcy Court.
To date, Baltimore has incurred $18,809,256.00 in legal fees – paid entirely to bankruptcy lawyers, many from large out-of-state entities that bill at over $1,000 an hour. Not a dollar has been paid to victims.
And the process is not over. The cases remain open. Total costs are still unknown, but bankruptcy fees alone continue to grow – by a staggering $459,896 last month.
At some point – after tens of millions more are spent – victims will then be paid.
At the very same time, in our nation’s capital, the Archdiocese of Washington D.C., chose a different path. Together, Cardinal Robert McElroy and the survivors designed a process that was transparent, fair and acceptable to all parties. Roughly two-thirds of their Child Victims Act cases have already been resolved through negotiated settlements, resulting in payments directly to victims.
Bankruptcy fees: Zero.
Many jurisdictions have gotten through this issue unscathed by bankruptcy. Our nation’s capital has shown us a way forward.
Our Rhode Island institutions may be small but they are strong. Our legislature, mindful of our state constitution’s right to justice, has declared that RI children who were harmed must be given their opportunity to obtain justice. Yes, when you shut hundreds out of the system for decades, it’s a lot, a lot of pent-up pain. That’s the pain of Rhode Island children, the kids we grew up with, who have suffered alone, with no opportunity to be heard.
As horrific as the conduct documented in Neronha’s report is, our Catholic community is strong. Rhode Islanders of all faiths know that the Diocese made mistakes. Countless Diocesan officials and administrators failed our children. Children from the families that made up the Church here in Rhode Island. For officials to turn their back on these victims now will simply compound past errors.
Attorney General Neronha’s report spoke not just of litigation, but of reconciliation.
This is an opportunity for the Diocese to own past failures, address the horrific damages that those mistakes spawned, and move forward from failed attempts to evade accountability.
Rhode Island’s attorneys can and will fight, but when the Diocese wants to talk about justice for victims – let’s have that conversation.
