Father Alfred C. Lonardo

Ordained: 1963

Status: Accused

Deceased: 2022

Assignment History

1963: St. Francis Church (Wakefield, RI)
1963-1973: St. Teresa of Avila Church (Providence, RI)
1973-1975: St. Mary Church (Cranston, RI)
1975-1977: Adult Correctional Institutions (Cranston, RI)
1977-1986: Holy Cross Church (Providence, RI)
1986-2002: St. Mary Church (Cranston, RI)
2002: Sabbatical, North American College (Rome, Italy)
2003: St. Augustine Church (Providence, RI)
2007: Retired

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Alfred C. Lonardo

Father Alfred C. Lonardo was ordained a priest in 1963 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island for several decades. He is one of several Catholic clergy members connected to Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Providence.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Lonardo was publicly named as accused in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence. He does not appear to be included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

Lonardo served at several Rhode Island parishes and institutions, including St. Teresa of Avila Church in Providence, St. Mary Church in Cranston, Holy Cross Church in Providence, and St. Augustine Church in Providence. Lonardo retired in 2007 and died on July 9, 2022.

Allegations Against Father Alfred C. Lonardo

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, a complainant reported in early 2022 that he was sexually abused by Father Alfred C. Lonardo and Father Daniel Azzarone between approximately 1994 and 1996, beginning when he was 15 years old.

The complainant reportedly worked at St. Mary Rectory after school and considered Lonardo a mentor. He alleged that Lonardo provided him with alcohol and attempted to sexually assault him inside the St. Mary rectory. The complainant also alleged that Lonardo fondled him during the drive home and told him not to tell anyone.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, after the boy attempted to disclose the abuse to Father Daniel Azzarone, Azzarone also sexually abused him. The complainant further alleged that Lonardo and Azzarone took him and other altar boys out, provided them with food and alcohol, and that Azzarone continued to sexually abuse him.

Father Alfred C. Lonardo and Father Daniel Azzarone

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Bishop Louis Gelineau warned Lonardo in 1993 to be “very vigilant” in supervising Fr. Azzarone because of a recent allegation that Azzarone had sexually abused a boy.

In 2002, after Azzarone was indicted, a parishioner anonymously wrote to the Diocese alleging that Lonardo knew about Azzarone’s abuse of children and that Lonardo had also abused children, both alone and with Azzarone. According to BishopAccountability.org, the letter alleged that liquor and drugs were involved and that Lonardo hosted “young men” overnight in the rectory.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report notes that an investigator later found the words “we do not take into consideration anonymous letters” written on the bottom of the letter.

Sabbatical in Rome and Return to Ministry

Less than two weeks after the anonymous letter, Bishop Robert Mulvee accepted Lonardo’s resignation as pastor of St. Mary Church and assigned him to sabbatical studies.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Lonardo went to the North American College in Rome in 2002 but returned to the United States by early 2003 after an allegation involving alcohol and an adult male seminarian. The seminarian alleged that Lonardo touched his groin area without consent.

The Diocese arranged treatment for Lonardo and later returned him to parish ministry. He remained in ministry until retiring in 2007.

Lonardo was included on the Rhode Island Attorney General's list of credibly accused clergy in Appendix A of the Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence. Based on the available source information, he does not appear to be included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Alfred C. Lonardo

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 Alfred C. Lonardo listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Based on the available source information, no. Father Alfred C. Lonardo does not appear to be included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. However, he was included in Appendix A of 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 connected to the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest or clergy member in Rhode Island, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by a priest or clergy member in Rhode Island 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 Alfred C. Lonardo – Diocese of Providence