Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse
Also Known As: Father Ray Lacasse
Religious Order: Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate / OMI
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused
Deceased: 2018
Assignment History
- 1959-1973: Oblate missions (Philippines)
- 1973-1981: Ephpheta Retreat House / Epheta Retreat House (Manville/Cumberland, RI)
- 1976: Founded Catch the New Wind Youth Ministries
- 1981: Immaculata Retreat House (Willimantic, CT)
- January-October 1997: Saint John Vianney Center (Pennsylvania)
- 1997: Oblate Foreign Missions House (Lowell, MA)
- 2000-2011: Griffith House / Oblate residence (San Fernando, CA)
- 2012: Released from religious vows
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse
Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse, also known as Father Ray Lacasse, was ordained a priest in 1958 and was a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He served in the Philippines before returning to Rhode Island, where he worked at an Oblate retreat house and founded the Catch the New Wind Youth Ministries program.
Lacasse 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. According to BishopAccountability.org, Lacasse was publicly named as accused in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Lacasse was accused in 2010 of sexually assaulting a child between approximately 1968 and 1970. 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.
Allegations Against Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, the Diocese of Providence received a letter in 2010 from a complainant alleging that Lacasse sexually assaulted her between approximately 1968 and 1970.
The complainant reportedly said she was staying overnight at an Oblate home or retreat center for a teen program when Lacasse entered her bedroom at night, locked the door, got on top of her, pinned her to the bed, and forcibly kissed her. Based on her date of birth, she would have been between the ages of 8 and 11 at the time.
According to BishopAccountability.org, the alleged assault occurred while the girl was staying at the Oblate Home overnight for a “teen program.”
Prior Complaints Against Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, the Diocese had received multiple complaints involving Lacasse before the 2010 child sexual assault allegation.
Two women reportedly accused Lacasse of inappropriate sexual contact in 1996. During the Diocese’s investigation, Lacasse reportedly admitted to sexual contact with both women but claimed it was consensual.
The Diocese revoked Lacasse’s faculties in 1997 after two complaints involving adult women. According to BishopAccountability.org, he was then sent to Saint John Vianney Center in Pennsylvania for treatment.
In late 1997, Lacasse was assigned to the Oblate Foreign Missions House in Lowell, Massachusetts. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, he was reportedly assigned strictly to administrative duties.
Additional Complaints Against Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse
In 2004, the Diocese received a third complaint from an adult woman alleging that Lacasse sexually assaulted her during a retreat at Epheta House approximately 25 years earlier.
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, there is no record that the Diocese notified law enforcement about the complaints involving adult women. Law enforcement was contacted only after the Diocese received the 2010 allegation involving a child.
According to BishopAccountability.org, the Oblates told the Diocese that since 1996 there had been four other complaints about Lacasse involving the sexual assault of adult women.
Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse Released From Vows
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Lacasse was released from his religious vows in 2012 at his request. He was reportedly permitted to continue living with the Oblates.
According to BishopAccountability.org, Lacasse continued to live with the Oblates until his death. Lacasse died on October 7, 2018.
Lacasse 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 Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse
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 by a priest?
Possibly. Survivors may have claims against the Diocese of Providence, a religious order, a retreat center, 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 Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?
Based on the available source information, no. Father Joseph Gerard Raymond Lacasse 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 A of 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, a religious order, 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.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for a free consultation.