Father Dennis Brodeur

Ordained: 1977

Status: Accused

Deceased: 2004

Assignment History

1976-1977: Holy Trinity Church (Central Falls, RI)
Summer 1977: St. Catherine Church (Warwick, RI)
1977-1980: St. Jude Church (Lincoln, RI)
1980-1982: Faculty, St. Ambrose College (Davenport, IA)
1982-1986: Faculty, Center for Health Care Ethics (St. Louis, MO)
1986-2004: Sisters of St. Mary Health Center / SSM Health Care (St. Louis, MO)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Dennis Brodeur

Father Dennis Brodeur was ordained a priest in 1977 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy, Brodeur has been identified as credibly accused of child sexual misconduct. He served at several Rhode Island parishes, including Holy Trinity Church in Central Falls, St. Catherine Church in Warwick, and St. Jude Church in Lincoln.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, the Diocese of Providence received an allegation against Brodeur on January 6, 2004, just days after his death. The report states that the parents of an adult man informed a priest in the Archdiocese of Atlanta that their son had recently disclosed that Brodeur sexually abused him when he was a child living in Rhode Island.

The complainant reportedly alleged that Brodeur sexually abused him repeatedly at his family’s home in Lincoln, Rhode Island, when he was approximately 13 or 14 years old. Brodeur was reportedly close friends with the complainant’s parents, whom he met at St. Jude Church in Lincoln, and spent significant time in the family’s home.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, the complainant alleged that Brodeur would enter his bedroom at night while his parents were home to “tuck him in,” and that the conduct escalated to repeated sexual abuse. The complainant reportedly stated that the abuse occurred approximately five to ten times and that he first disclosed the abuse around the time of Brodeur’s death.

Although the Diocese received the complaint and conducted an interview in 2004, the matter was reportedly not presented to the Diocesan Review Board until April 2019. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, diocesan records indicated that there was no law enforcement notification on file regarding the allegation. The report also states that it does not appear the complaint was reported to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office or Rhode Island State Police in 2019.

Brodeur died on January 1, 2004, in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2019, Brodeur 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. According to BishopAccountability.org, Brodeur later taught at St. Ambrose College in Iowa and Saint Louis University in Missouri before serving as vice president for SSM Health Care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Dennis Brodeur

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 Dennis Brodeur listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Dennis Brodeur 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, brothers, 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.

Father Dennis Brodeur – Diocese of Providence