Father Oscar R. Ferland

Oscar R. Ferland Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Also Known As: Monsignor Oscar Ferland

Ordained: 1944

Status: Accused

Deceased: 1998

Assignment History

1945-1953: St. Patrick Church (Harrisville, RI)
1953-1956: St. Brendan Church (Riverside, RI)
1956-1967: St. Michael Church (Providence, RI)
1967-1972: Christ the King Church (Kingston, RI)
1968-1972: University of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI)
1972-1991: St. Luke Church (Barrington, RI)
1991: Retired
1991-1998: Part-time ministry at various Rhode Island parishes, including St. Joseph Church in Hope Valley, St. Bernard Church in Wickford, and St. Aidan Church in Cumberland

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Oscar R. Ferland

Father Oscar R. Ferland was ordained a priest in 1944 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island for nearly five decades. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy, Ferland has been identified as credibly accused of child sexual misconduct. He served at several Rhode Island parishes and institutions, including St. Michael Church in Providence, Christ the King Church in Kingston, the University of Rhode Island, and St. Luke Church in Barrington.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Ferland was publicly named by the Diocese of Providence in 2019 as a priest credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. The Diocese noted that the allegations were received after Ferland’s death. Ferland died on July 8, 1998.

Allegations Against Father Oscar R. Ferland at St. Michael Church and St. Luke Church

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Ferland was accused of sexually abusing several young girls and one boy between 1964 and 1991. The allegations involved incidents at St. Michael Church in Providence, St. Luke Church and School in Barrington, St. Joseph Church in Hope Valley, and a private swimming pool.

According to BishopAccountability.org, one man reported to the Diocese in 2018 that Ferland sexually abused him, including rape, when he was approximately eight or nine years old and a student at St. Michael Church in Providence. He reportedly stated that he had previously disclosed the abuse to Providence Police in 2006.

Several allegations involved Ferland’s time at St. Luke Church and St. Luke School in Barrington. According to BishopAccountability.org, one alleged victim reported in 2007 that Ferland sexually abused her when she was approximately 10 years old in the 1980s and attending St. Luke School. She alleged that Ferland touched her in a swimming pool and also touched her and other girls while picking them up.

In 2017, another woman reported that Ferland sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions at St. Luke School when she was 13 years old in 1983 or 1984. She reportedly stated that she told the school principal, who called her a liar and threatened to expel her.

Additional Allegations and Diocese Response

In 2002, the Diocese received a report that Ferland watched a 10-year-old girl use the bathroom at St. Joseph Church in Hope Valley in 1994, when he was substituting at the parish. According to BishopAccountability.org, he allegedly opened the stall door and stared at her.

In 2006, a woman reported to the Diocese that Ferland inappropriately touched her and other girls in the early 1990s. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, the girl’s father confronted Ferland at the time about rumors that he was touching young girls. Ferland reportedly did not deny the allegations and said he had been thinking of retiring.

The father also reportedly informed Father Robert McManus, who later became Auxiliary Bishop, about Ferland’s behavior. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, the complaint does not appear to have been documented or acted upon by the Diocese.

Ferland 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 and in the Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Oscar R. Ferland

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 Oscar R. Ferland listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Oscar R. Ferland 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 on the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy and in 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 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 Oscar R. Ferland – Diocese of Providence