Father Bede Gorman

William P. Gillooly Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Religious Order: Order of Saint Benedict / Benedictine Order

Ordained: 1944

Status: Accused

Deceased: 1985

Assignment History

1944-1985: Portsmouth Abbey (Portsmouth, RI)
1947-1972: Portsmouth Abbey School (Portsmouth, RI), athletic director
Dates unknown: Portsmouth Abbey School (Portsmouth, RI), teacher, coach, athletic director, and dorm housemaster

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Bede Gorman

Father Bede Gorman was a Benedictine priest who spent his priesthood at Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He is one of several Catholic clergy and religious order members connected to Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Providence and Catholic institutions in Rhode Island. He served at Portsmouth Abbey School as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and housemaster of a dorm known as “The Barn.”

According to Appendix C of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Father Bede Gorman was publicly identified by Portsmouth Abbey as credibly accused following a third-party investigation conducted by a law firm hired by the Abbey.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Gorman spent his entire priesthood at Portsmouth Abbey School and died on May 8, 1985.

Allegations Against Father Bede Gorman at Portsmouth Abbey School

According to BishopAccountability.org, Portsmouth Abbey School contacted alumni in 2016 regarding past sexual abuse and hired an outside law firm to investigate allegations of abuse in the school’s history.

The investigation found credible allegations that Gorman sexually abused students from the 1950s until 1972, when the school no longer had boarders. According to BishopAccountability.org, four allegations against Gorman were deemed credible.

One former student had reportedly come forward in 1993 alleging abuse by Gorman in the early 1960s. According to BishopAccountability.org, Abbot Matthew also revealed that he had received a complaint from a parent in the early 1970s regarding Gorman’s behavior with her son, which Gorman reportedly acknowledged.

Portsmouth Abbey Investigation and Public Apology

In 2017, Portsmouth Abbey School released a report and public apology addressing credible allegations of sexual abuse by former members of the monastery, including Father Bede Gorman and Father Geoffrey Chase.

The school stated that the known instances of abuse by Gorman and Chase occurred decades earlier, between 1959 and the early 1980s. The report also described corporal punishment at the school during the 1960s and 1970s, including allegations that Gorman disciplined students with bare-bottomed spanking.

Following the investigation, Portsmouth Abbey announced that Gorman’s name would be removed from school honoraria, including athletic fields, the squash center, and annual prizes named in his honor.

Gorman was included in Appendix C of the Rhode Island 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 Bede Gorman

Can I sue for sexual abuse by a religious order 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 Portsmouth Abbey School, a religious order, or the Diocese of Providence be sued for my sexual abuse by a priest?

Possibly. Survivors may have claims against Portsmouth Abbey School, a religious order, the Diocese of Providence, a parish, or another Catholic institution 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 Bede Gorman listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Based on the available source information, no. Father Bede Gorman 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 C of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, which notes that Portsmouth Abbey publicly identified him as credibly accused following a third-party investigation.

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, religious order members, monks, 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, monk, clergy member, or Catholic school employee in Rhode Island, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy, religious order members, monks, or Catholic school employees 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 Bede Gorman – Diocese of Providence