Father Hugh P. Rafferty

Hugh P. Rafferty Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Ordained: 1964

Status: Accused / Laicized

Deceased: 2001

Assignment History

1964-1966: St. Matthew Church (Cranston, RI)
1966-1967: St. Leo the Great Church (Pawtucket, RI)
1967-1974: Served in various locations, including the Dioceses of Brooklyn, Boston, Norwich, Paterson, Worcester, and in Ireland
1974: Removed from ministry
1976: Laicized

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Hugh P. Rafferty

Father Hugh P. Rafferty was ordained a priest in 1964 for the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island. He served briefly in Rhode Island before being sent to treatment in 1967 and later serving in other dioceses and in Ireland. 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, Rafferty 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, allegations against Rafferty were noted to have been received after his death. Rafferty was also included on the Diocese of Rockville Centre list of accused clergy in 2021 for alleged abuse connected to St. Aidan’s in Williston Park, New York. Rafferty died on January 11, 2001.

Allegations Against Father Hugh P. Rafferty

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, in 1995 a woman reported to Diocese of Providence officials that Rafferty sexually abused her, including rape, beginning when she was 13 years old in the 1960s.

The alleged abuse reportedly occurred while Rafferty was assigned to St. Matthew Church in Cranston.

According to BishopAccountability.org, the woman came forward again in 2016 and said she had never been updated as to Rafferty’s status.

Diocese of Providence Response to Father Hugh P. Rafferty Allegations

According to BishopAccountability.org, Rafferty was sent to treatment at Via Coeli in Nevis, Minnesota, in 1967. He later worked in several other dioceses, including Brooklyn, Boston, Norwich, Paterson, and Worcester, as well as in Ireland.

Rafferty was removed from ministry on November 1, 1974, and laicized in 1976.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, the Diocese received a report in 1995 from a woman who alleged that Rafferty sexually abused her when she was a child. The report indicates that she came forward again in 2016 and said she had not been updated about Rafferty’s status.

Father Hugh P. Rafferty and Institutional Failures

Rafferty’s case reflects concerns raised in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report about clergy who were sent for treatment, transferred, removed from ministry, or laicized after concerns about sexual misconduct.

According to the available source information, Rafferty was sent to treatment in 1967 and later worked in multiple dioceses and in Ireland before being removed from ministry in 1974 and laicized in 1976.

Rafferty 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 Hugh P. Rafferty

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, schools, treatment programs, or youth-serving institutions, 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 Hugh P. Rafferty listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Hugh P. Rafferty 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 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 Hugh P. Rafferty – Diocese of Providence