Father Philip A. Magaldi

Philip A. Magaldi Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Ordained: 1960

Status: Settled

Deceased: 2008

Assignment History

1961: St. Alexander Church (Warren, RI)
1961-1965: Our Lady of Grace Church (Johnston, RI)
1965-1968: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Providence, RI)
1968-1969: Our Lady of Grace Church (Johnston, RI)
1968-1969: North American College (Rome, Italy)
1969-1972: Assistant Chancellor, Diocese of Providence (Providence, RI)
1969-1976: St. Matthew Church (Cranston, RI)
1976-1988: St. Anthony Church (North Providence, RI)
1988-1989: Sabbatical, San Antonio, Texas
1989-1990: St. Augustin Church (Newport, RI)
1990-1992: Diocese of Fort Worth (Texas)
1992-1993: Imprisoned following embezzlement conviction
1993-1998: St. John the Apostle Church (North Richland Hills, TX)
1998: Suspended on leave
1999: Temporary retirement
2000-2001: Ministry in Keller, Texas
2001: Suspended on leave
2005: Faculties removed

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Philip A. Magaldi

Father Philip A. Magaldi was ordained a priest in 1960 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island before later serving in the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas. He is one of several Catholic clergy members connected to Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Providence.

According to the Diocese of Providence list of credibly accused clergy, Magaldi has been identified as credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. He was also included on the Diocese of Fort Worth list of clergy with credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Magaldi has been accused of sexually abusing nine boys. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report states that his alleged pattern involved targeting vulnerable boys, giving them gifts and money, and threatening them if they reported the abuse. Magaldi died on August 12, 2008.

Allegations Against Father Philip A. Magaldi

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Magaldi was accused of sexually abusing nine boys, with alleged victims ranging from approximately age 7 into early adulthood. Much of the alleged abuse reportedly occurred while he was assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Providence and St. Anthony Church in North Providence.

Multiple complainants alleged that Magaldi used gifts, money, trips, and other forms of grooming to gain access to boys. According to BishopAccountability.org, some allegations involved rape and other sexual abuse. Several allegations also involved unusual conduct related to enemas, including claims that Magaldi required boys or young men to administer enemas to him or incorporated enemas into the alleged abuse.

Embezzlement Conviction and Transfer to Texas

According to BishopAccountability.org, Magaldi left Providence in 1988 after allegations of financial mismanagement. In 1992, he pleaded guilty to embezzlement in Rhode Island and later returned to ministry in the Diocese of Fort Worth after serving time in a halfway house.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Magaldi was transferred to the Diocese of Fort Worth in 1993 and incardinated there in 1995.

Diocese of Fort Worth Allegations and Removal from Ministry

According to BishopAccountability.org, in 1997 a young man reported to the Diocese of Fort Worth that Magaldi paid him to give Magaldi enemas. In 1998, another allegation from Rhode Island accused Magaldi of raping a boy and paying him to administer enemas in the 1970s.

Magaldi was removed briefly from ministry in Fort Worth in 1999, later reinstated, and then removed permanently in 2001. According to a 2008 Dallas Morning News report, the Diocese of Fort Worth said it had received repeated complaints about Magaldi’s conduct with boys and young men. The report also stated that Magaldi was HIV-positive and that a request for laicization was pending at the time of his death.

Civil Lawsuits and Later Allegations Against Father Philip A. Magaldi

Several civil lawsuits have been filed involving allegations against Magaldi, including lawsuits filed in 1998, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

According to BishopAccountability.org, a lawsuit filed in 2017 alleged that Magaldi sexually abused a boy in Rhode Island beginning around age 7 in 1965. A 2019 lawsuit alleged abuse of a boy between the ages of 12 and 17 in the late 1970s and early 1980s, while Magaldi was pastor of St. Anthony Church in North Providence. That case was dismissed, and the Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal in 2023.

Magaldi 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 in Appendix A of the Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Philip A. Magaldi

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 Philip A. Magaldi listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Philip A. Magaldi 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 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 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 Philip A. Magaldi – Diocese of Providence