Father Anthony A. DeAngelis
Also Known As: Monsignor Anthony DeAngelis
Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused; publicly accused by the Diocese of Providence
Deceased: 1990
Assignment History
- 1935-1936: St. Bartholomew Church (Providence, RI)
- 1936: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (Providence, RI)
- 1936-1979: Sacred Heart Church (West Warwick, RI)
- 1979: Retired
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Anthony A. DeAngelis
Father Anthony A. DeAngelis was ordained a priest in 1935 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island for more than four decades. He spent most of his ministry at Sacred Heart Church in West Warwick, where he served as pastor. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy, DeAngelis has been identified as credibly accused of child sexual misconduct. The Diocese of Providence separately lists DeAngelis as publicly accused.
According to BishopAccountability.org, DeAngelis was a senior diocesan official and was named a monsignor during the period in which the alleged abuse occurred. He retired in 1979 and died on January 23, 1990.
Allegations Against Fr. DeAngelis Involving Sacred Heart Parish School
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Dr. Ann Hagan Webb reported that DeAngelis sexually abused her repeatedly between approximately 1957 and 1965, beginning when she was about five years old and attending Sacred Heart Parish School in West Warwick. Webb authorized the Attorney General’s Office to publish her name.
Webb alleged that the abuse continued until she was approximately 12 years old while DeAngelis was serving as pastor of Sacred Heart Church. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, the alleged abuse included repeated sexual assault and other acts of sexual violence.
Webb first reported the abuse to the Diocese of Providence in 1994. On June 17, 1994, she also wrote directly to Bishop Louis Gelineau regarding the abuse.
Diocese Response and Later Public Reporting
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, Webb’s allegations were presented to the Diocese’s Review Committee for the Protection of Children in August 1994. The committee reportedly determined that the Diocese had no legal or financial obligation based on what it viewed as unsubstantiated allegations.
The Diocese later paid Webb $12,500 on April 4, 1996, for therapy costs. According to BishopAccountability.org, Webb did not sign a confidentiality agreement.
Webb also reported the abuse to Rhode Island State Police in 2014. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, State Police informed her that because DeAngelis had died in 1990, they could take her statement but there could be no criminal investigation.
DeAngelis was included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Father Anthony A. DeAngelis
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 Anthony A. DeAngelis listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?
Based on the available source information, Father Anthony A. DeAngelis was listed by the Diocese of Providence as publicly accused, and was also included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report and list of credibly accused clergy.
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, brother, 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.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for a free consultation.