Father Paul Charland

Paul Charland Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Ordained: 1971

Status: Accused; removed from public ministry in 2011

Deceased: No

Assignment History

1971-1975: St. Augustine Church (Providence, RI)
1975-1979: Christian Youth Formation Center (North Kingstown, RI)
1979-1982: St. Joseph Church, Residence (Cumberland, RI)
1979-1982: St. Raphael Academy (Pawtucket, RI)
1979-1982: St. Joseph Church (Cumberland, RI)
1982: House of Affirmation (Whitinsville, MA)
1983: SS. John & Paul Church (Coventry, RI)
1983-1986: St. Agatha Church (Woonsocket, RI)
1986-1990: Holy Ghost Church (Tiverton, RI)
1990-1992: St. Lawrence Church (North Providence, RI)
1992-2006: St. Paul the Apostle Church (Foster, RI)
2006-2007: Mount St. Rita Health Center (Cumberland, RI)
2007-2009: St. Francis House (Woonsocket, RI)
2009-2011: Various nursing homes and assisted living facilities (Providence area)
2011: Suspended and retired

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Paul Charland

Father Paul Charland was ordained a priest in 1971 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy, Charland has been identified as credibly accused of child sexual misconduct. He served in several Rhode Island parishes and Catholic institutions, including St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, St. Paul the Apostle Church in Foster, and multiple nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the Providence area.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Charland was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Providence on its July 1, 2019 list. He was removed from public ministry on August 26, 2011.

Early Allegations Involving St. Raphael Academy

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, a woman reported to the Diocese of Providence in 2002 that Charland sexually abused her in 1980 or 1981, when she was approximately 15 years old and a student at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket. Charland was reportedly working at the school as a guidance counselor and Catholic Youth Organization teacher at the time.

The complainant alleged that Charland kissed and groped her on multiple occasions on campus and once while helping her into and out of his private boat in Newport. She also reportedly stated that she saw Charland abuse her friend in a similar manner during the same Newport boating trip.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, diocesan officials had received notice of Charland’s conduct near the time it allegedly occurred. In a 1982 letter cited in the report, a priest informed Bishop Kenneth Angell that Charland’s behavior allegedly “covered ten years” and had been reported by multiple individuals. The priest reportedly confronted Charland, who could not deny that he had kissed a 15-year-old student and described himself as “overly friendly.”

Following those concerns, Charland was sent to the House of Affirmation, a treatment center for Catholic priests in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. While continuing to receive treatment, he began a new assignment at SS. John & Paul Church in Coventry in 1983.

Continued Ministry and Additional Complaints Against Fr. Charland

Charland remained in ministry for decades. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, his 1992 transfer to St. Paul the Apostle Church in Foster raised concerns among parishioners, several of whom wrote to diocesan officials about rumors of Charland’s conduct involving children. One parishioner reportedly wrote, “I am afraid that our parish children are at risk.” Despite those concerns, diocesan officials reassured parishioners and Charland remained in ministry.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s report also describes a later allegation involving another 15-year-old girl. In 2003, a woman told Rhode Island State Police that Charland groped her multiple times and kissed her during a family sailing trip in July 1999. Her father reportedly witnessed some of the conduct and confirmed his observations to investigators. Criminal charges were not filed because the applicable statute of limitations had expired.

In 2003, Charland reportedly admitted to diocesan investigator Robert McCarthy that he had kissed the first complainant on the lips during a boating trip in 1980, but denied knowing her friend. According to the report, he also acknowledged sailing with the second complainant and her family, but denied intentionally touching her inappropriately.

Charland underwent psychological evaluations in 2004 and 2006 after concerns were raised that he had failed to follow prior recommendations. For the final years of his ministry, he was assigned to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

In 2011, an adult woman reported that Charland had harassed her at a parish on numerous occasions and hugged and kissed her without her consent. During a subsequent interview, Charland reportedly admitted to kissing and hugging the woman. Following that complaint, Bishop Thomas Tobin suspended Charland from public ministry on August 26, 2011, and allowed him to retire as a senior priest.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, none of the allegations against Charland were sent to the Vatican. The report states that, in 2016, Chancellor Timothy Reilly said Bishop Tobin told him not to forward the initial allegation because he did not believe it was credible.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office contacted Charland in 2024 and offered him an opportunity to provide a statement to Rhode Island State Police regarding the allegations. Charland denied the allegations, calling them “misinterpretations” of his efforts to show care and concern for adults and youth.

Charland was included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor in 2019. He was also included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Paul Charland

Can I sue for sexual abuse by a priest in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island’s new two-year revival window, beginning July 1, 2026, allows survivors of child sexual abuse to file claims that were previously blocked by the statute of limitations. You can bring a claim during this two-year window regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. Because there is a deadline to file your claim, survivors should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

How long do I have to sue for sexual abuse in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island’s new law creates a two-year window for certain older child sexual abuse claims beginning July 1, 2026. Claims must be filed by June 30, 2028. Survivors should not wait, because it may be necessary to gather relevant documents, investigate the claim, and determine the appropriate parties to sue.

Can the Diocese of Providence be sued for my sexual abuse by a priest?

Possibly. Survivors may have claims against the Diocese of Providence or another Catholic institution, including parishes and schools, if there is evidence that the institution knew or should have known about the risk of abuse and failed to protect children. Horowitz Law attorneys can review the facts of your case and explain your legal options.

Was Father Paul Charland listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Paul Charland was included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. He was also included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Rhode Island Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Rhode Island’s new law creates a two-year revival window, beginning July 1, 2026, for certain older child sexual abuse claims. Horowitz Law is bringing these lawsuits in Rhode Island and has collected evidence of the Diocese of Providence’s negligence. The revival window allows survivors of clergy sexual abuse to pursue claims that were previously blocked by the statute of limitations. Filing deadlines will apply, so survivors should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Horowitz Law Is Here to Help

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Providence. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest, religious order member, or clergy member in Rhode Island, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Providence may have legal options due to Rhode Island’s new two-year revival window for certain child sexual abuse claims, but filing deadlines will apply, so do not delay in reaching out to us.

Father Paul Charland – Diocese of Providence