Father John Francis O’Neil

John Francis O’Neil Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Ordained: 1937

Status: Accused

Deceased: 1978

Assignment History

1937: Diocesan Chancery (Providence, RI)
1937-1944: Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul (Providence, RI) / Sick leave
1944-1950: St. Mary Church (Pawtucket, RI)
1950: Sick leave, Via Coeli (Jemez Springs, NM)
1951-1952: Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul (Providence, RI)
1952: Sick leave, Queen of the Clergy Villa (Escoheag, RI)
1952-1953: St. Lawrence Church (North Providence, RI)
1953-1954: St. Mark Church (Cranston, RI)
1954-1957: St. Rose Church (Warwick, RI)
1957: Queen of the Clergy Villa (Escoheag, RI)
1957-1959: St. Anna Church (Cranston, RI)
1959: St. Thomas Church (Providence, RI)
1961-1964: Suspended on leave / Out of Diocese
1965: Faculties reinstated, Chaplain, Carmelite Monastery (Barrington, RI)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father John Francis O’Neil

Father John Francis O’Neil was ordained a priest in 1937 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island for several decades. He is one of several Catholic clergy members connected to Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Providence.

According to BishopAccountability.org, O’Neil was publicly named as accused in 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.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, O’Neil was accused of sexually abusing an 11- or 12-year-old girl in 1959 or 1960. O’Neil died on September 10, 1978.

Allegations Against Father John Francis O’Neil

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, in July 2003 a woman reported to the Diocese that Father John Francis O’Neil sexually abused her in 1959 or 1960, when she was 11 or 12 years old.

The alleged abuse reportedly occurred when O’Neil visited her family’s home for a parish census. According to BishopAccountability.org, the woman said O’Neil asked whether she had religious items in her bedroom. When she took him to see them, he allegedly touched her in her pelvic area.

Diocese of Providence Response to Father John Francis O’Neil Allegations

O’Neil died in 1978, before the allegation was reportedly received by the Diocese in 2003.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, diocesan records show that O’Neil had several periods of sick leave and suspension during his ministry. He was sent to Via Coeli in Jemez Springs, New Mexico, in 1950, and later to Queen of the Clergy Villa in Escoheag, Rhode Island, in 1952 and 1957.

In 1961, O’Neil was suspended and later allowed active ministry in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan. His faculties in the Diocese of Providence were reinstated in 1965. According to BishopAccountability.org, diocesan records do not specify the reasons for the sick leaves or suspension, but mention “to avoid serious scandal.”

Father John Francis O’Neil and Institutional Failures

O’Neil’s case reflects concerns raised in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report about incomplete or unclear diocesan records involving clergy who were placed on leave, suspended, transferred, or later reinstated.

Although the alleged abuse was not reported until after O’Neil’s death, the Attorney General’s report noted that diocesan records showed earlier periods of sick leave and suspension without a clear explanation of the underlying reasons.

O’Neil was 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. 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 John Francis O’Neil

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 John Francis O’Neil listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Based on the available source information, no. Father John Francis O’Neil 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 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 John Francis O’Neil – Diocese of Providence