Father Brendan Smyth

Brendan Smyth Norbertine Priest Diocese of Providence

Also Known As: John Gerard Brendan Smyth

Religious Order: Norbertine Order / Order of Prémontré

Ordained: 1951

Status: Convicted

Deceased: 1997

Assignment History

1951-1957: Holy Trinity Abbey (Kilnacrott, Republic of Ireland)
1957-1959: St. Columba Church (Annan, Scotland)
1959-1963: St. Mary Cathedral (Wrexham, Wales)
1963-1965: Holy Trinity Abbey (Kilnacrott, Republic of Ireland)
1965-1968: Our Lady of Mercy Church (East Greenwich, RI)
1968-1979: Holy Trinity Abbey (Kilnacrott, Republic of Ireland)
1979-1983: St. Alphonsus Church (Langdon, ND)
1983-1990: Holy Trinity Abbey (Kilnacrott, Republic of Ireland)
1990-1993: Tralee General Hospital (Kerry, Republic of Ireland)
1993: Mercy Hospital (Cork, Republic of Ireland)
1994-1997: Imprisoned for sexual abuse (Northern Ireland)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Brendan Smyth

Father Brendan Smyth, born John Gerard Smyth, was ordained a priest in 1951 and was a member of the Norbertine Order. He served in Rhode Island, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. He is one of several Catholic clergy members connected to Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Providence.

According to the Diocese of Providence list of credibly accused clergy, Smyth has been identified as credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. He was also 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.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Smyth is believed to have sexually abused more than 50 boys and girls in Ireland and the United States. Smyth was convicted of child sexual abuse offenses in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and died in prison on August 22, 1997.

Allegations Against Father Brendan Smyth

According to BishopAccountability.org, Smyth sexually abused children from at least 1958 until 1991. He was sent for treatment four times between 1968 and 1990.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, the Diocese of Providence first received a report of abuse by Smyth in 1967. He was kept in ministry and was later sent back to Ireland in 1968 after three more victims came forward.

In 2008, a lawsuit was filed in Providence, Rhode Island, alleging that Smyth sexually abused a boy and a girl in 1968. The lawsuit was reportedly dismissed because of the statute of limitations.

Criminal Convictions Against Father Brendan Smyth

According to BishopAccountability.org, Smyth was sentenced in 1995 to four years in prison in Northern Ireland on 17 counts involving assaults against five girls and four boys between 1964 and 1988.

In July 1997, Smyth was sentenced to 12 years in prison for abusing 20 boys and girls. He died in prison the following month.

According to the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry, Smyth pleaded guilty to 43 offenses against 21 children in Northern Ireland and 74 offenses against 20 children in the Republic of Ireland. The report noted that Smyth admitted he did not know how many children he had abused and said it could have been hundreds.

Diocese of Providence and Norbertine Order Response to Father Brendan Smyth Allegations

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, the Diocese of Providence received a report of abuse by Smyth in 1967 while he was serving in Rhode Island. Despite that report, Smyth was kept in ministry.

The report states that Smyth was sent back to Ireland in 1968 after three more victims came forward.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Smyth was repeatedly sent for treatment between 1968 and 1990. He continued to abuse children in multiple countries for decades.

Father Brendan Smyth and Institutional Failures

Smyth’s case reflects concerns raised in clergy abuse investigations about religious orders and dioceses failing to protect children after receiving reports of abuse.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, the Diocese of Providence received a report of abuse by Smyth in 1967 but kept him in ministry until additional victims came forward. Smyth was then sent back to Ireland, where he continued to abuse children.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry found that Smyth was moved between dioceses and countries despite prior knowledge of abuse allegations, allowing him continued access to children over several decades.

Smyth 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Brendan Smyth

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 the Diocese of Providence or a religious order be sued for sexual abuse in Rhode Island?

Possibly. Survivors may have claims against the Diocese of Providence, a religious order, a parish, a school, 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 Brendan Smyth listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Brendan Smyth 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 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.

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 institutional negligence involving Catholic entities in Rhode Island. 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, clergy, and Catholic institutions 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 Brendan Smyth – Diocese of Providence