Father Louis Ward Dunn

Louis Ward Dunn Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Also Known As: Monsignor Louis Dunn

Ordained: 1947

Status: Convicted

Deceased: 2001

Assignment History

1947: St. Bernard Church (Wickford, RI)
1947: St. Benedict Church (Warwick, RI)
1947: St. Mary Church (West Warwick, RI)
1948-1950: Lateran University (Rome, Italy)
1950-1956: Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (Providence, RI)
1950-1952: Assistant Chancellor, Diocese of Providence
1952-1953: Vice Chancellor, Diocese of Providence
1953-1956: Vicar for Religious, Diocese of Providence
1956-1964: Mother of Hope Novitiate (Warwick, RI)
1963: St. Joseph Church (Hopkinton, RI)
1964-1967: Christ the King Church (South Kingstown, RI)
1964-1994: Diocesan Tribunal, Diocese of Providence
1967-1994: St. Thomas Church (Providence, RI)
April 1994: Suspended on leave
June 1994: Retired
1997: St. John Vianney Residence (Providence, RI)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Louis Ward Dunn

Father Louis Ward Dunn, also known as Monsignor Louis Dunn, was ordained a priest in 1947 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island for nearly five decades. He held several prominent diocesan positions, including Assistant Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Vicar for Religious, and member of the Diocesan Tribunal.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy, Fr. Dunn has been identified as credibly accused of child sexual misconduct. He was also included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Dunn was placed on leave in 1994 after a woman reported sexual misconduct by Dunn when she was a minor. He was later criminally convicted of first-degree sexual assault involving a 21-year-old woman.

Allegations Against Father Louis Ward Dunn

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Dunn was accused of sexually abusing at least five girls and young women. The report states that Dunn’s alleged pattern of abuse involved pursuing vulnerable girls beginning when they were under 18 and continuing into their early 20s.

The report further states that Dunn allegedly used his authority as a priest to manipulate victims into consuming alcohol and drugs before sexually assaulting them. According to BishopAccountability.org, at least one, and possibly two, of Dunn’s alleged victims became pregnant.

The Attorney General’s investigation found that diocesan officials reportedly received warnings about Dunn’s conduct as early as 1967, when the father of a teenage girl contacted the Diocese about Dunn’s behavior toward girls and young women at Christ the King Church in South Kingstown. According to the report, the father later said his concerns “fell on deaf ears” and recalled being told that Dunn was a “standing problem.”

Criminal Conviction and Civil Lawsuits Against Father Louis Ward Dunn

Dunn was placed on administrative leave in April 1994 and retired in June 1994. In 1995, a civil lawsuit was filed against him.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Dunn was criminally tried in 1997 on two separate rape allegations; one was dismissed. He was convicted in the second case of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman in June 1982.

In December 1999, Dunn received a ten-year suspended sentence and was ordered to continue living at St. Antoine Residence in North Smithfield. He died on April 18, 2001. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, despite Dunn’s conviction, it does not appear that the Diocese took steps to laicize him.

Dunn was named in multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse. Some claims were later resolved as part of the Diocese of Providence’s September 2002 settlement involving clergy sexual abuse lawsuits, while other claims were dismissed on statute-of-limitations grounds.

Dunn 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 in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Louis Ward Dunn

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 Louis Ward Dunn listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Louis Ward Dunn 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 and other clergy in the Diocese of Providence. 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 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 Louis Ward Dunn – Diocese of Providence