Father Mario Bordignon

Religious Order: Scalabrinians / Pious Society of the Missionaries of St. Charles

Ordained: 1950

Status: Accused

Deceased: 1992

Assignment History

1951-1959: St. Anthony Church (New Haven, CT)
1959-1964: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Bristol, RI)
1964: Missionary assignment (California)
1966: Assignment in New York, NY
1966: Assignment in New Haven, CT
1970-1972: Holy Rosary Church (Washington, D.C.)
1988-1992: St. Bartholomew Church (Providence, RI)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Mario Bordignon

Father Mario Bordignon was ordained in Italy in 1950 as a member of the Scalabrini religious order, also known as the Pious Society of the Missionaries of St. Charles. Bordignon served in several states, including Rhode Island, where he was assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bristol and later St. Bartholomew Church in the Diocese of Providence. Bordignon was included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report in connection with allegations of child sexual misconduct involving Rhode Island.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Bordignon arrived in the United States in May 1951 and was first assigned to a parish in New Haven, Connecticut. He later served at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bristol, Rhode Island, from 1959 to 1964. In 1964, Bordignon was sent to California as a missionary. He later returned to the East Coast and served in New York and Connecticut before returning to Rhode Island, where he served at St. Bartholomew Church in Providence from 1988 until his death in 1992.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, a woman reported to the Diocese of Providence in February 2013 that Bordignon sexually assaulted her several times during the summer of 1964, when she was 15 years old. The complainant reportedly knew Bordignon as “Father Mario,” and said he was a family friend.

The complainant reported that Bordignon accompanied her and others on swimming outings to the Palmer River in Barrington, Rhode Island. According to the report, the alleged sexual abuse occurred on approximately five or six occasions during those outings.

The Diocese of Providence referred the allegation to Rhode Island State Police after receiving the complaint. During the Diocese’s review, the complainant reportedly provided detailed descriptions of Bordignon, the alleged abuse, and the impact it had on her life and faith. The complainant also reportedly identified Bordignon from a group of photographs of priests.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, State Police closed the investigation after learning that Bordignon had died in 1992.

The Diocese also notified the Scalabrini Order of the allegation. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, representatives of the order responded that any potential civil claims would be time-barred. The report also notes that the complainant expressed frustration that the order had not contacted her regarding the allegations.

Bordignon died on December 22, 1992. He was included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence. He was not included on the Diocese of Providence list of credibly accused clergy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Mario Bordignon

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 Mario Bordignon listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Father Mario Bordignon was included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence. However, he was not included on the Diocese of Providence list of credibly accused clergy.

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, religious order members, and other clergy in the Diocese of Providence. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest 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 Mario Bordignon – Diocese of Providence